Nothing will ever be the same again. How did 2025 pass?

The year 2025 is coming to an end as yet another year marked by global conflicts. The breath of war did not leave the planet this year either. As the year draws to a close, people in places such as Ukraine and Gaza went to sleep in fear and anxiety, while some never woke up. Earthquakes, plane crashes, hurricanes, and floods have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands, preventing them from stepping into the New Year. Against the backdrop of these losses, QALAMPIR.UZ presents the most important and pressing global events of the outgoing year. How much did the world change in just one year?

Zelensky’s unsuccessful move

From the beginning of the year, US President Donald Trump, elected for a second term, chose to pressure Kyiv rather than aggressor Russia in an attempt to quickly end the war in Ukraine. Against this backdrop, the scandal that erupted at the White House became one of the most sensational events of the year, if not the century. On February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House to hold talks with US President Donald Trump. The main issue expected to dominate the discussions was an agreement on mineral resources. The joint appearance of the two leaders before journalists initially began on a positive note and proceeded calmly. However, toward the end, tensions flared. Zelensky came under attack from Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

In response to claims that diplomacy with Putin was necessary, Zelensky recalled that years earlier he had signed a ceasefire agreement with Putin mediated by Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. At the time, the leaders of France and Germany had assured him that Putin would not violate the agreement, yet he did so regardless. Zelensky questioned Vance about what kind of diplomacy could still be discussed with Putin. Vance replied that he was referring to an agreement that would “stop the destruction of Ukraine.” This marked the beginning of the heated exchange at the White House.

Vance then began offering Zelensky several recommendations. The Ukrainian president responded by saying that only by visiting Ukraine could Vance truly understand the problems facing the country.

As the argument intensified, Zelensky stated that the United States was protected by a vast ocean and therefore could not fully feel the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, he added that the conflict would eventually affect the US as well. Trump responded sharply, saying, “You have no right to tell us what we should feel. We are on the brink of World War III, yet you do not respect the United States or me.”

After that, Trump and Zelensky stopped listening to each other, and the conversation descended into chaos. Trump said that the Ukrainian leader did not have strong “cards,” was not in a good position, and was playing with the risk of World War III.

Zelensky advised Vance not to raise his voice. Trump immediately interrupted, stating that Vance had not raised his voice and accusing Zelensky of talking too much.

The confrontation continued. Trump called Joe Biden “stupid” and claimed that the US had given Ukraine $350 billion, adding that without American assistance, the war would have ended within two weeks. Zelensky responded sarcastically, saying, “Three days — I’ve heard that before from Putin.” Trump replied, “Maybe even less.”

Trump then accused Zelensky of not wanting a ceasefire, making the remark in a mocking manner that quickly went viral on social media.

Ultimately, the dispute pushed many issues into the background and cast serious doubt on the future course of the war. Zelensky left the White House earlier than planned. Overall, he was effectively forced out. The expected minerals agreement collapsed, and the joint press conference was canceled. Journalists packed up their equipment and left the hall where the briefing was supposed to take place.

Following these events, the war in Ukraine intensified further, with continued bloodshed. After Trump returned to power, the war he had promised to end within 24 hours has now been ongoing for nearly 340 days. Trump and Zelensky met several more times throughout the year, with the media closely following each meeting as if it might finally end the war. This year, Trump also met with Putin in an effort to stop the conflict. However, none of these efforts have produced tangible results so far. The war continues. Zelensky is scheduled to visit the White House again today, December 28, but little is expected from this meeting given the circumstances.

Tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan

In 2025, Azerbaijan demonstrated to the world that it is an independent republic, not subordinate to Russia, and capable of standing up to Putin’s state when necessary. Even Putin, known for yielding to no one, was forced to apologize to Baku.

The chain of events began at the end of 2024. On December 25, an Embraer-190 aircraft flying from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. There were five crew members and 62 passengers on board, 38 of whom were killed. A preliminary report by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport stated that the aircraft began losing altitude after two impacts. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said there had been external interference, calling it “the work of the Russians,” and stated that Putin should apologize. Aliyev held a grudge over the incident throughout the first half of the year. However, subsequent developments proved too much for Baku. Aliyev openly accused Russia in international media. In late June, Russia’s decision to reopen investigations into events from 24 years ago severed what remained of bilateral ties. During those investigations, two Azerbaijani nationals reportedly died of “heart attacks.” Azerbaijan later stated that their bodies showed signs of violence and opened a criminal case on charges of intentional murder, torture, and abuse of power.

Following these events, Azerbaijan detained employees of the Sputnik Azerbaijan news agency in Baku. In addition, several Russian citizens were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and cybercrime.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Aliyev reiterated that Azerbaijan was not responsible for the deterioration of relations with Russia and stressed that his country would never tolerate aggression or disrespect. He also recalled that in 1920, the Russian army invaded Azerbaijan and occupied the country. Aliyev began distancing himself from Russia and leaning toward Ukraine, stating that Azerbaijan had always been a friend to Kyiv and had supported Ukraine since the beginning of the war, even providing assistance in Russia’s full view. At that point, Russia appeared to be losing yet another ally. However, Putin attempted to repair relations. On October 9, after a year-long pause, Putin met Aliyev in Tajikistan and proposed starting the discussion with the plane crash. He said Russia was ready to take necessary steps regarding compensation. After that, the tensions appeared to ease.

However, on December 22, Aliyev did not attend the informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg. It was officially stated that his absence was due to a busy schedule. According to Minval, however, this decision reflected deeper issues related to trust and responsibility in post-Soviet interstate relations.

“Politics, unlike diplomatic ceremonies, rarely forgives unresolved crises. The crash of an AZAL civilian aircraft was not merely a tragedy but an institutional test — a test of states’ ability to act within recognized norms: acknowledging responsibility, apologizing, compensating losses, and holding those responsible accountable. This was precisely the algorithm publicly announced by President Vladimir Putin in Dushanbe. However, time has shown that these statements have not been translated into action,” the article stated.

According to the publication, nearly two and a half months have passed since Russia acknowledged the involvement of its air defense systems in the tragedy. Yet none of the minimum measures of responsibility expected in the modern international system have been implemented. The investigation continues to drag on, compensation has not been paid, and those responsible have neither been identified nor punished. From this perspective, Aliyev’s absence from the summit was not emotional diplomacy or demonstrative pressure, but a logical signal: participation in multilateral formats is impossible while a fundamental bilateral crisis remains unresolved.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport released another report on the AZAL plane that crashed near Aktau a year earlier. The report cited possible causes of damage to the aircraft. According to the ministry, foreign metal objects were identified during the investigation, prompting forensic, ballistic, explosive-technical, and fire examinations, indicating the involvement of external objects.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, meanwhile, suspended its investigation into the crash. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said the decision raised “very serious questions” in Baku.

Erdoğan was on the brink of collapse

The year 2025 became one of the most critical periods in Turkey’s political history. Dark clouds gathered over the country’s political landscape following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. On March 19, he was detained on charges of bribery and financial crimes. His arrest ignited protests across major cities, with young people taking to the streets and demanding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s resignation. Between March 19 and 23, thousands of demonstrators in Istanbul, Ankara, and other cities filled the streets chanting “Justice, freedom, democracy!” in support of İmamoğlu. On March 23, a court formally ordered his imprisonment, and the Istanbul City Council appointed Nuri Aslan as acting mayor.

Between March 24 and 27, the government imposed strict measures: protests were banned, and many demonstrators and journalists were detained. However, on April 6, mass rallies in support of İmamoğlu resumed, spreading rapidly across the country. This wave of protests, however, eventually subsided.

On October 27 and November 11, courts filed new charges against İmamoğlu, adding hundreds of criminal counts. In November, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office requested a prison sentence of up to 2,352 years on corruption charges. İmamoğlu had been considered Erdoğan’s main rival in the presidential election scheduled for 2027. Human Rights Watch described the case as a “politically motivated investigation.”

Shortly before his arrest, Istanbul University annulled İmamoğlu’s diploma at the request of prosecutors, effectively stripping him of the legal right to run for president, as Turkish law requires candidates to have a university degree. As a result, 2025 saw a new wave of unrest in Turkey. Unfortunately, some protesters vandalized historical sites and desecrated graves. As the year drew to a close, Turkey appeared to have partially moved on, with streets calm and no open challenges to Erdoğan’s power.

The Israel–Iran war

Another historic event in the Middle East this year was the direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, marked by relentless aerial exchanges. Air defense systems failed, and even the much-vaunted Iron Dome could not withstand the strikes. Tensions escalated in mid-summer. On June 13, the Israel Defense Forces launched a large-scale air operation against Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. The strikes targeted nuclear installations, military command centers, and symbolic sites. Israeli officials said the operation aimed to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities and strengthen national security.

The direct confrontation lasted several days. Israel reportedly struck more than 200 targets, including the Natanz nuclear facility and other key sites. Numerous senior Iranian military commanders, Revolutionary Guard leaders, and nuclear specialists were reportedly killed.

Iran responded swiftly, launching over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones toward Israel in a single night. Missile strikes targeted Tel Aviv, Haifa, Petah Tikva, and other cities.

As rockets flew between the two countries, scenes of celebration in Gaza — where residents welcomed Iranian missiles heading toward Israel — drew widespread media attention. Israel initially appeared isolated, but this did not last long.

The United States reaffirmed its support for Israel by joining the conflict. On June 22, Trump announced that the US had struck three Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked Trump. Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned of long-term consequences and reiterated that Tehran would not abandon its nuclear energy program. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the US strikes as a direct threat to international peace and security.

Iran later launched attacks on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq on June 23, in an operation reportedly named “Glad Tidings of Victory.” Qatar’s Defense Ministry stated that there were no casualties. According to Ynet, Iran fired 10 missiles at the US base in Qatar and one at a base in Iraq. Iranian forces confirmed the strike on the Al Udeid base.

According to official and independent sources, approximately 1,190 people were killed on the Iranian side during the 12-day war, with more than 4,000 injured. On the Israeli side, 28 people were killed, including 27 civilians and one soldier, and around 100 were injured.

The year of theft

One of the biggest cultural and security shocks of 2025 was the theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris. On October 19 at around 9:30 a.m., four masked individuals stole royal jewelry from the Apollo Gallery in the Denon Wing without injuring anyone. The operation unfolded with cinematic simplicity, catching authorities off guard. French officials were left with little more than statements.

The thieves disguised themselves as construction workers, wearing yellow vests and using a crane truck to access a first-floor window, which they smashed to enter the museum unnoticed.

The display cases were broken in just four minutes using power tools. The stolen items were removed without harming anyone, and the perpetrators escaped on motor scooters. Although the incident was captured on cameras, the stolen cultural treasures have yet to be recovered.

The stolen items included 19th-century royal jewelry such as tiaras, necklaces, earrings, bronze brooches, and other valuables. Nine imperial-era artifacts, including pieces belonging to Napoleon and Empress Joséphine, were taken. Their total value was estimated at €88 million. The museum was evacuated and closed for the day, and Interpol added the items to its stolen art database.

A week later, two of the four suspects were arrested, one at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria, and another in Seine-Saint-Denis. The incident intensified criticism of security at the Louvre. Museum President Laurence des Cars acknowledged serious security failures and offered to resign, though ministers rejected her resignation. President Emmanuel Macron called the theft an “attack on heritage.” Experts described it as the largest art theft in Europe in recent years.

Following the theft, museum staff went on strike, citing inadequate working conditions and security. This partially or fully shut down the museum for several days and heightened public concern. The case remains unresolved, leaving a stain on one of Europe’s cultural hearts.

Those swallowed by the earth

Alongside conflicts, unexpected natural disasters in 2025 claimed thousands of lives. In regions such as Kamchatka, Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, nearly 8,000 people died. Some bodies remain buried under rubble. The most devastating events are worth revisiting.

On March 28, a powerful earthquake struck central Myanmar, killing more than 3,000 people overnight. The 7.7-magnitude quake occurred at 12:50 p.m., followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock 12 minutes later, worsening the destruction.

Homes, schools, hospitals, bridges, and historical landmarks were flattened. Initial reports cited more than 1,000 deaths, but figures quickly rose. According to international and national sources, final estimates ranged between 3,300 and 3,700 fatalities, with thousands injured and hundreds missing.

Emergency services collapsed, roads and communications were cut, and residents desperately searched for loved ones under the rubble. Survivors were forced to spend nights outdoors, as many lost their homes. The quake was also felt in Thailand and China.

Afghanistan also suffered devastating earthquakes this year. On August 31, a 6.0-magnitude quake struck eastern provinces near the Pakistan border, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring over 4,000, according to official data, though actual figures may be higher.

Western media reported that women trapped under rubble were not assisted due to restrictive rules, forcing some villages to wait for women from other areas to help. As a result, people who could have survived reportedly died.

On November 3, another 6.3-magnitude quake struck northern provinces such as Balkh and Samangan, destroying homes that had survived the earlier quake. Initial reports cited at least 20 deaths, though the number may have risen. The tremor was also felt in Uzbekistan, particularly in Surkhandarya, where it reached 5 on the intensity scale. Residents fled into the streets, though no official damage reports were released.

In conclusion, 2025 will be remembered as a year in which wars did not end, agreements remained fragile, and human lives continued to be overshadowed by political bargaining. The world appeared to draw lessons, yet hesitated to correct its mistakes. The map of bloodshed expanded, while peace remained confined to statements. Humanity now stands at the door of 2026. Whether it holds reconciliation or another conflict remains to be seen. One truth remains unchanged: if the world cannot find a language louder than weapons, calendars may change, but tragedies will not. Whether 2026 becomes another missed opportunity or a turning point is an open question. The answer will unfold in the days ahead — and QALAMPIR.UZ will continue to follow it.