The world is entering 2025 and leaders have sent out New Year's messages to their citizens. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a televised speech on New Year's Eve. Russia spans 11 time zones and the Far Eastern regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka have entered 2025, according to Reuters.

In his speech, President Putin said that Russia has strengthened its unity in the first 25 years of the 21st century, achieved great successes, overcome challenges and its people should be proud of that.

"At this moment, on the threshold of the New Year, we are thinking about the future. We are confident that everything will be fine, we will only move forward. We know for sure that our absolute value has been, is and will be the fate of Russia and the happiness of its people," President Putin said.

The leader also paid tribute to the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, calling them "true heroes." The speech marked 25 years since Mr Putin took power in Russia, replacing his predecessor Boris Yeltsin.

In China, President Xi Jinping also delivered a speech, calling on the whole country to be confident in the new year to overcome challenges and pressures, according to Xinhua. Mr. Xi said that with preparations to complete the 14th Five-Year Plan in 2025, China will implement more proactive and effective policies, prioritize high-quality development, promote self-reliance and scientific and technological strength, and maintain the momentum of economic and social development.

The leader said the world's second-largest economy faces a number of challenges, including uncertainty in the external environment and pressure to shift from old growth drivers to new ones. "But we can win through hard work. We will emerge stronger through difficult times. We must be confident," Xi said.

On the other hand, Mr. Xi also mentioned Taiwan in his New Year's speech, affirming that reunification is unstoppable, according to AFP. "The Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can separate our blood ties and no one can stop the historical trend of reunification of the motherland," Mr. Xi said.

Earlier, Mr. Xi sent a New Year's greeting to Mr. Putin, saying that the two countries would move forward together to avoid confrontation. "China and Russia have always moved forward hand in hand, following the right path, not forming alliances, not confronting and not acting against third parties," the Chinese leader said.