Vladimir Putin sends his wishes for the New Year. He praised the Pope for his “diligent actions.”
Exceptions included representatives of the Polish and American authorities, as well as current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Putin also overlooked the leaders of Ukraine and Moldova, two countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) along with Russia.
According to the Kremlin, wishes were sent to several other world leaders, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. In a special message, Putin drew attention to jointly overcoming challenges and actively opposing the “hostile policy of the collective West,” stressing the defense of interests on the world stage.
The Russian President also did not forget his wishes to the leaders of countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, South Ossetia, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Cuba, Nicaragua, Turkey, Serbia and… the Vatican. Where he addressed warm words to Pope Francis.
Putin expressed his best wishes to Orban. It draws attention to the relationship between Russia and Hungary
In turn, Putin, in a letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, stressed the positive dynamic of relations between Russia and Hungary, which continues in difficult international times. The Kremlin also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing constructive and practical interaction between the two countries.
The wishes reached a wide range of countries, emphasizing – which seems absurd in the context of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine – the importance of cooperation and maintaining peace on the international stage.
In his letter to Pope Francis, Vladimir Putin expressed his hope that “the Church’s tireless work will continue to contribute to strengthening peace, harmony and mutual understanding among peoples.”
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