Vladimir Putin sent Christmas and New Year greetings to heads of state and government and heads of international organisations.

In his message of greetings to President of the Republic of Abkhazia Raul Khadjimba Khadjimba RaulPresident of the Republic of Abkhazia , Mr Putin assessed highly the development of bilateral relations in a spirit of alliance and strategic partnership and expressed confidence that the two countries would continue developing bilateral ties in trade and the economy, science and technology, and humanitarian fields, and would work together effectively on guaranteeing regional security and stability.

In his message to President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan Sargsyan Serzh , the President assessed highly Armenia’s contribution to promoting integration processes in the Eurasian Economic Union, CSTO and CIS. Mr Putin underscored that the two countries would continue their joint work to step up cooperation in the political, trade and economic, scientific and technological, and humanitarian areas, and coordinate efforts to resolve current international issues.

In his message to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Aliyev IlhamPresident of Azerbaijan , Mr Putin stressed the solid nature of the strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed confidence that they will continue their intensive political dialogue and their active and productive cooperation in various areas, including their efforts to strengthen peace and security in the Trans-Caucasus and Caspian regions.

The President congratulated President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Lukashenko AlexanderPresident of Belarus on Christmas and the New Year. In his message, Mr Putin noted that despite the complicated international situation, the outgoing year had confirmed the enduring value of Russian-Belarusian friendship and demonstrated the successful resolution of current issues on the bilateral agenda and regarding the Union State’s development. The President also expressed his hope for continued joint work to further develop all areas of partnership between the two countries, advance the mutually advantageous integration process and ensure stability and security in Eurasia.

In his message to President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev Nazarbayev Nursultan , Mr Putin reaffirmed his sincere desire to continue developing fruitful bilateral cooperation for the good of the Russian and Kazakhstani peoples and all countries on the continent. The President gave a high assessment of the intensive development of the two countries’ strategic partnership and their work to enhance integration mechanisms within their joint priority project – the Eurasian Economic Union.

In his message to President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev Atambayev Almazbek , the President noted the progress made in promoting the mutually beneficial integration processes underway in the Eurasian region and expressed confidence that the two countries would continue strengthening their bilateral relations for the good of their friendly peoples and in the interests of guaranteeing security and stability in Central Asia.

In his message to President of Moldova Igor Dodon, Mr Putin emphasised the existence of good opportunities in the coming year for working together to strengthen relations between Russia and Moldova in the interests of both fraternal peoples and stability and security in the region.

In his Christmas and New Year message to President of the Republic of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov Tibilov Leonid , the President assessed highly the work accomplished over 2016 to implement the bilateral treaty on alliance and integration, which has helped to develop bilateral relations and strengthen regional stability and security.

In his message to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon Rahmon EmomaliPresident of Tajikistan , Mr Putin noted that the outgoing year confirmed the solidity of the strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Tajikistan. The President expressed his confidence that the two countries would continue actively developing their constructive dialogue in all areas for the good of their friendly peoples and in the interests of strengthening stability and security in Central Asia.

Mr Putin sent his New Year’s wishes to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Berdimuhamedov GurbangulyPresident of Turkmenistan and noted the significant results achieved in developing the strategic partnership between the two countries. The President also expressed his hope for continued efforts to develop the bilateral political dialogue, productive cooperation in various areas, and work together in international affairs.

In his message to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Mr Putin noted the expanding constructive political dialogue and bilateral cooperation in various areas and expressed confidence that the two countries would continue strengthening their strategic partnership and close cooperation in the interests of guaranteeing peace, security and stability in Central Asia.

In his letter to President of the Republic of Argentina Mauricio Macri Macri MauricioPresident of Argentina , President Putin said that he looks forward to further progressive development of the Russia-Argentine strategic partnership in 2017 for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries and in the interests of strengthening international stability and security.

In his message to President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Michel Temer Temer MichelPresident of Brazil , the Russian President warmly recounted a bilateral meeting during the BRICS Summit in Goa and confirmed his commitment to continue meaningful dialogue and constructive collaboration to strengthen the Russian-Brazilian strategic partnership. Vladimir Putin also expressed hope that the President of Brazil will accept his invitation to make a state visit to Russia.

In a message of Christmas, New Year and birthday greetings to Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, the Russian President expressed confidence that the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and the development of partnership in opening up the Arctic and in other fields meet the interests of the both countries’ people.

In his congratulatory message to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping Xi JinpingPresident of People's Republic of China on the New Year and the upcoming Spring Festival, Vladimir Putin spoke highly of all-round Russian-Chinese cooperation and strategic partnership, and noted the successful coordination of Russia’s and China’s efforts to address urgent issues on the regional and global agenda. He expressed confidence in the stepped-up dynamism of bilateral cooperation to the benefit of both nations and for stronger international stability and security.

The President of Russia sent greetings to President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro Castro Raul on the Republic’s national holiday, Liberation Day, as well as Christmas and the New Year. Vladimir Putin noted the steady development of Russian-Cuban relations in the spirit of strategic partnership. Once again, he offered condolences on Fidel Castro’s death and expressed confidence that his comrades and followers will carry on his life’s cause, the creation of a just society, to the benefit of the Cuban people.

In his Christmas and New Year greetings to President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinist Niinistö SauliPresident of Finland ö, Vladimir Putin mentioned the bilateral meetings in Novo-Ogaryovo and Naantali held in the outgoing year, which confirmed the importance of strengthening neighbourly Russia-Finland relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas. The President also mentioned that he would be pleased to accept the invitation extended by Sauli Niinistö and visit Finland in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of that country’s independence.

In his congratulatory message to President of the French Republic François Hollande Hollande Francois , the Russian President mentioned the negative events of the outgoing year such as the unprecedented migration crisis and a significant increase in terrorist activities, and expressed hope that Russia and France will maintain and multiply the positive potential of bilateral cooperation, and will continue constructive cooperation in addressing critical issues on the European and global agenda.

Vladimir Putin sent Christmas and New Year greetings to Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel Merkel AngelaFederal Chancellor of Germany . In his message, the President emphasised that the outgoing year had confirmed the significance of Russian-German cooperation for resolving pressing regional and international issues and resisting the threats and challenges to global security. The President expressed hope that Russia and Germany will make concerted efforts to preserve and multiply the positive potential of bilateral cooperation built up over decades in various areas in the interests of the two countries and all of Europe.

In his message to Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban Orban ViktorPrime Minister of Hungary , Vladimir Putin noted with satisfaction the positive trends in Russian-Hungarian relations in the outgoing year. The Russian President expressed confidence that the joint efforts of Russia and Hungary will give even more momentum to political dialogue and productive bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two nations.

In his messages of greetings to President of the Republic of India Pranab Mukherjee Mukherjee Pranab and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi Modi NarendraPrime Minister of India , the President noted that the outgoing year was successful for Russian-Indian relations, which have reached the level of specially privileged strategic partnership. Mr Putin thanked the Indian side for its hospitality when hosting the BRICS Summit in Goa and expressed hope that the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Russia and India will be marked in 2017 with new success in enhancing productive bilateral cooperation in many areas, in particular, in resolving urgent issues on the regional and global agenda.

In his message of greetings to Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu BenjaminPrime Minister of Israel , Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in the successful continuation in 2017 of joint efforts to enhance the entire range of Russian-Israeli relations and constructive cooperation in addressing regional and international issues in the interests of the friendly peoples of the two countries and for ensuring peace, security and stability in the Middle East.

Addressing the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella Mattarella SergioPresident of Italy , Mr Putin emphasised that despite uneasy times for Europe and the world, in the outgoing year Russia and Italy maintained constructive bilateral dialogue and cooperated in regional and international affairs. Russian President reaffirmed his invitation to the Italian President to visit Russia for a detailed discussion of current issues on the bilateral agenda and key international issues.

In his message to Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe Abe Shinzo , the Russian President noted with satisfaction the considerable broadening of Russia-Japan dialogue in 2016. “Constructive talks in Russia, Peru and Japan allowed us to make substantial progress in addressing important issues on the bilateral agenda,” Vladimir Putin pointed out, expressing hope for continued joint work on building a genuine partnership between Russia and Japan.

In his message of greetings to Prince Albert II of Monaco, Vladimir Putin warmly recalled their recent meeting in Moscow on the Days of Monaco in Russia, praised his personal contribution to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Monaco, and expressed hope that bilateral relations will make further progress in the coming year.

The Russian President sent New Year and Christmas greetings to President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic Nikolic Tomislav . The message notes that the outgoing year has proved the strategic nature of Russian-Serbian partnership with the development of constructive political dialogue, and agreements that open good prospects to implement mutually profitable bilateral projects.

In his message to President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma Zuma Jacob , the Russian President said that the Russia-South Africa meeting at the highest level during the BRICS Summit in Goa confirmed that bilateral relations were successfully developing in the past year in the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership. Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that Russia and South Africa will continue constructive cooperation both bilaterally and as part of various international organisations and forums.

The President also sent Christmas and New Year greetings to King Felipe VI of Spain and QueenLetizia expressing hope for continued positive development of Russian-Spanish bilateral and international cooperation.

In his congratulatory message on the occasion of the New Year to President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan Recep TayyipPresident of Turkey , Vladimir Putin noted with satisfaction that following a difficult period in relations between Russia and Turkey, the sides were able to begin the process of gradual normalisation and restoration of all cooperation in the political, economic, humanitarian, scientific, technical and other areas. In addition, the Russian President expressed confidence that, based on the achieved results, both countries will continue to productively work together to strengthen bilateral ties and will actively cooperate in addressing critical issues on the regional and international agenda in the interest of both nations and in line with ensuring security and stability in Eurasia.

In his congratulatory messages addressed to the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Elizabeth II and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Theresa May May Theresa , the President of Russia confirmed the conviction that the positive development of bilateral relations and partner collaboration in dealing with pressing international issues meets the interests of the peoples of Russia and the UK.

Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on Christmas and the New Year. In his message of greetings, the Russian President expressed hope that after Donald Trump is sworn in as US president, the two states, acting in a constructive and pragmatic manner, will be able to take real steps to restore the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in various areas and take their interaction in the international arena to a whole new level. “Major global and regional challenges that our countries have confronted in recent years clearly confirm that Russia-US relations are an important factor in ensuring stability and security in the modern world,” reads the message sent to Donald Trump.

Congratulating His Holiness Pope Francis on the occasion of Christmas and New Year, President Putin expressed confidence in further productive development of constructive cooperation between Russia and the Vatican based on similar approaches to the most pressing problems of modernity and respect for common humanist values.

In his message of greetings to President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro Maduro NicolasPresident of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , the Russian President praised the significant progress in the Russian-Venezuelan strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technical, energy, financial and other spheres, and expressed hope that this will serve as the basis for further strengthening the mutually beneficial relations between the two countries.

The Russian President also congratulated a number of heads of international organisations on the occasion of the New Year, in particular, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Ban Ki-moon , UN Secretary-General-elect Antonio Guterres, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge Rogge Jacques and Honorary IOC member Jean-Claude Killy. In his message to Antonio Guterres, Vladimir Putin expressed hope that vast professional experience and knowledge will help the newly elected UN Secretary-General to effectively lead the organisation, which is the foundation of the modern system of international relations. Recalling Antonio Guterres’ visit to Moscow in November 2016, the President confirmed interest in further strengthening of constructive cooperation between Russia and the United Nations.

The President also sent congratulations to President of the International Federation of Football Associations Gianni Infantino, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Rene Fasel and President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer.

In addition, the President wished a happy Christmas and New Year to a number of former heads of state and government, as well as politicians, in particular, Helmut Kohl, Gerhard Schroeder, King Juan Carlos I Juan Carlos I King of SpainKing of Spain, 1975 - 2014 , Silvio Berlusconi Berlusconi Silvio , George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Tarja Halonen Halonen Tarja , Nicolas Sarkozy Sarkozy Nicolas and Francois Fillon Fillon Francois .