Kathrine Frich
Moscow released details of President Vladimir Putin’s Christmas and New Year messages.
The list offered a glimpse into how the Kremlin currently frames its international relationships.
While many countries across several continents were included, Europe stood out for what was largely absent.
Official greetings sent
According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin sent formal Christmas and New Year 2026 messages to a range of foreign heads of state and government. The announcement was published by the press service of the Russian presidency.
“The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, sent Christmas and New Year 2026 greetings to foreign heads of state and government,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
The messages were presented as part of Russia’s traditional diplomatic protocol at the end of the year.
Europe largely missing
In Europe, only two leaders appeared on Putin’s official list. The Kremlin said holiday greetings were sent to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
No other European Union leaders were mentioned in the announcement, highlighting the limited scope of Putin’s outreach within Europe.
The omission comes amid continued tensions between Russia and most European governments.
Global allies named
Beyond Europe, the list included several major international figures. Putin sent greetings to Pope Leo XIV, U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also addressed messages to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Kremlin said leaders from former Soviet republics, as well as countries in Asia and Africa, were also included.
Latin America included
Putin’s greetings extended to several Latin American leaders considered close to Moscow. These included Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Messages were also sent to Nicaragua’s co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
The list underscores Russia’s continued focus on maintaining ties outside Europe as diplomatic isolation in the region persists.
Sources: Kremlin press service, Digi24
