Russia's Putin sent a message to North Korea's Kim to celebrate New Year's Day, KCNA says

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent New Year greetings to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, highlighting the “special” 2025 ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. He praised North Korean soldiers’ “heroic” role in Russia’s Kursk region as a testament to their strong friendship.

REUTERS

December 25, 2025

FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they attend a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on September 4, 2025. REUTERS/ File Photo

KCNA/Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message on December 18 to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate New Year's Day, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Thursday.

The year 2025 had a "special meaning" for the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, Putin said in the message to Kim, according to KCNA.

The message said "heroic" participation of North Korean soldiers in the war in Russia's western Kursk region "clearly proved the invincible friendship" between the two countries, according to KCNA.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message on December 18 to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate New Year's Day, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Thursday.

The year 2025 had a "special meaning" for the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, Putin said in the message to Kim, according to KCNA.

The message said "heroic" participation of North Korean soldiers in the war in Russia's western Kursk region "clearly proved the invincible friendship" between the two countries, according to KCNA.