As the world celebrates the coming of 2026, international leaders have welcomed the New Year with greetings.
"I wish you all good health and happiness, understanding and prosperity. And, above all, love which inspires us. May our traditions, faith, and memory bind all generations together, supporting us always and in everything," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his New Year address to the nation on December 31, 2025 local time.
"Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do. Praying for peace and happiness in our society," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X on the first day of 2026.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in his first New Year's televised address to the nation, saying that 2026 could prove to be "a year of new beginnings," in which Germany and Europe "reconnect with decades of peace, freedom and prosperity," according to German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in his New Year message, "Things have been tough in Britain for a while. For many, life is still harder than it should be."
Starmer pledged to make more people "feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service," a change he hoped would reverse the country's decline.
"We want the end of the war — not the end of Ukraine," Zelensky said, adding that Ukrainians are exhausted but not prepared to surrender.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said in a New Year's message on Thursday that 2026 will mark Korea's "great leap forward" after restoring a nation set back by a martial law fiasco, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
Global Times
"I wish you all good health and happiness, understanding and prosperity. And, above all, love which inspires us. May our traditions, faith, and memory bind all generations together, supporting us always and in everything," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his New Year address to the nation on December 31, 2025 local time.
Photo: Kremlin website
President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko wished the 2026 to be peaceful and safe for not only for Belarus but for all the countries and nations.Photo: screenshot of New Year address of President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko
He also noted that "Attempts were made to make us live according to foreign laws, to separate us into 'right' and 'wrong' people, to test our durability with economic storms and political pressure without understanding that Belarus has something they cannot take away. It is our habit to stick together, to work together.""Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do. Praying for peace and happiness in our society," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X on the first day of 2026.
Photo: screenshot of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s X post
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended New Year greetings to the entire nation, expressing expressed hopes that every day of the new year would further strengthen values such as national integrity and harmony.Photo: Screenshot of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s X post
Photo: screenshot of French President Emmanuel Macron’s New Year address
In his post on X on the first day of 2026, Macron wished unity, strength and independence and hope for the country and wished his compatriots a very beautiful and happy year of 2026.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in his first New Year's televised address to the nation, saying that 2026 could prove to be "a year of new beginnings," in which Germany and Europe "reconnect with decades of peace, freedom and prosperity," according to German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle.
Photo: screenshot of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in his first New Year's televised address
The German leader also said that various geopolitical, economic and technological developments did indeed represent an "epochal shift," but stressed that it was up to Germany to overcome the challenges with its own strength, DW reported.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in his New Year message, "Things have been tough in Britain for a while. For many, life is still harder than it should be."
Starmer pledged to make more people "feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service," a change he hoped would reverse the country's decline.
Photo: screenshot of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s televised New Year address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is doing everything possible to achieve peace but will not accept a deal that compromises the country's survival, in a New Year address delivered from Kiev, local media reported."We want the end of the war — not the end of Ukraine," Zelensky said, adding that Ukrainians are exhausted but not prepared to surrender.
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s X post
"Feliz 2026," wrote Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in an X post on Thursday.Photo: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s X post
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said in a New Year's message on Thursday that 2026 will mark Korea's "great leap forward" after restoring a nation set back by a martial law fiasco, Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
Photo: Blue House
Lee also said as a "pacemaker," he will "actively support the resumption of North Korea-US talks and continue pursuing the restoration of inter-Korean relations this year" and ensure "peaceful coexistence" on the peninsula.Global Times
