Putin Sends New Year Greetings to Selected Leaders

As 2024 concludes, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended New Year greetings to select leaders, notably excluding Western heads of state deemed 'unfriendly.' Only Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico were acknowledged among European leaders, reflecting their alignment with Russian interests. Putin's updated list includes leaders from countries such as Myanmar, North Korea, and Ethiopia, while dropping Syria and the breakaway region of Abkhazia. Both Orbán and Fico have been critical of EU sanctions and arms supplies to Ukraine, with Fico recently threatening to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine. The Kremlin's approach highlights a continued effort to maintain ties with nations that share its perspectives, particularly in opposition to NATO policies. This selective outreach underscores the geopolitical rifts characterizing contemporary international relations.