Putin also sent New Year’s wishes to foreign governments but did not include the leaders of the United States, Germany, or France. Meanwhile, residents of Kyiv, Ukraine were advised to go to air raid shelters as sirens sounded throughout the city, following Russia’s largest aerial assault since the invasion in February.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he is expecting a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping in the spring during a video conference where the two leaders discussed Russian-Chinese relations.
In another development, the UK announced that it has provided Ukraine with over 1,000 metal detectors and 100 bomb deactivation kits as part of its military support efforts.