A bright spot in global landscape

It's time to consult the crystal snow globe and try to peer ahead to what may be on the horizon for the new year.

- John J Metzler

A man rides a horse during the last sunset of 2025 at a beach in Karachi, Pakistan, on Wednesday.

(AFP)

Without question 2025 has been tumultuous but the year ahead holds cautious promise to finally solve some political crises mixed with some epic events on tap.Ukraine: Now in its fourth winter of war and despair, beleaguered Ukraine still is holding the line against the Russia invasion. Tough European rhetoric alone will not stop Vladimir Putin. A militarily strengthened and politically unified Nato will, through a steady stream of lethal weapons to Kyiv. Equally the European Union has loaned US$106 billion (3.3 trillion baht) to Ukraine.

Peace efforts by the United States and Europeans have not always converged but the central theme of maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and independence remains a political and strategic imperative as it should. The question remains at what cost and risk? Following President Donald Trump’s latest meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida to revive momentum towards the Ukraine peace process, the president stated, “We're getting a lot closer, maybe very close... talks are “moving in the right direction”. Look to a imperfect peace deal in the spring; all sides are exhausted.