As 2025 draws to a close, the world finds itself grappling with a cascade of crises that have tested the limits of diplomacy, humanitarian resolve, and global leadership. In a year marked by relentless conflict, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have dominated headlines, while other flashpoints—from Sudan to Myanmar, and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the tense borders of Southeast Asia—have deepened the sense of instability. Despite ongoing peace efforts, meaningful breakthroughs remain elusive, and the international community continues to search for a path toward lasting resolution.
On December 15, 2025, a glimmer of hope appeared in Berlin, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with envoys of US President Donald Trump for a second consecutive day. The talks, part of an effort to advance a peace proposal originally put forward by Trump, focused on ending the conflict triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to The Diplomatic Insight, Zelensky described the discussions as "difficult but yielded real progress," particularly regarding security guarantees for Ukraine.
The US delegation, led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, brought what Zelensky called "new and meaningful security assurances" from Washington. However, he was quick to acknowledge that "significant differences remain, especially over territorial issues." As Zelensky told reporters, "There has been enough dialogue on territorial issues, and frankly, our positions still differ." He refrained from elaborating on the specific concessions under discussion, but the sticking point was clear: the fate of the eastern Donbas region, comprising Donetsk and Lugansk, most of which is currently under Russian control.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who hosted the talks, struck a cautiously optimistic note. He praised the United States for putting forward what he called "substantial" security guarantees and described the negotiations as opening a "real chance for a peace process." Merz emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must be underpinned by "strong legal and material guarantees from both the United States and Europe," calling Washington’s proposals "a very important step forward." He reiterated Germany’s long-term support for Ukraine, condemning what he described as "Putin’s criminal attack" and stressing, "A lasting peace in Europe is only possible with a free, sovereign and strong Ukraine, one capable of defending itself today and in the years ahead. The fate of Ukraine is the fate of Europe."
From Washington, President Trump announced plans to hold a phone call with Zelensky and a group of European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also expected to participate. US officials described their offer of strong, NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine as a potential breakthrough, expressing confidence that Moscow would accept them. However, Trump has consistently ruled out Ukraine’s formal membership in NATO and echoed Russian claims that Kyiv’s aspirations to join the alliance contributed to the conflict.
Despite progress on security guarantees, the territorial question remains a formidable obstacle. As reported by The Diplomatic Insight, US negotiators have pressed Ukraine to relinquish control of the Donbas region, a proposal Kyiv has steadfastly refused. Trump, for his part, has suggested that "some territorial concessions by Ukraine may be unavoidable," a stance that Zelensky has repeatedly and strongly rejected. Russia, meanwhile, has signaled it will not back down from its core demands, including territorial claims and assurances that Ukraine will never join NATO. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow was awaiting details of the proposals discussed in Berlin.
Against the backdrop of these high-stakes negotiations, the global picture in 2025 has been one of mounting humanitarian crises and stalled peace efforts. As reported by BERNAMA on December 16, 2025, wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the Middle East, and Myanmar have claimed countless lives, forced millions from their homes, and devastated infrastructure. The fighting escalated in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, while border tensions between India and Pakistan, Thailand and Cambodia, and Afghanistan and Pakistan have further strained the global humanitarian system. These developments have raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of diplomacy and multilateral institutions.
In the Middle East, the approach of President Trump’s administration has drawn sharp criticism from experts. Emeritus Professor Carlyle A. Thayer of the University of New South Wales told BERNAMA that the US had "escalated the Gaza humanitarian emergency by militarily backing Israel and sidelining UN channels," including support for Israel's offensive in Gaza and US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Thayer added, "The US reinforced this muscular approach by aggressively lobbying Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to support President Trump’s 20-point peace plan."
Meanwhile, border tensions in Southeast Asia have tested the region’s stability and the effectiveness of ASEAN as a mediator. Deadly armed clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border have posed a formidable challenge, with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim working tirelessly as ASEAN Chair to bring the two nations to the negotiation table. The signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord in October 2025, witnessed by Trump, marked a significant diplomatic effort, though experts caution that the conflict will likely require many more meetings and persistent negotiation before a resolution is achieved.
Malaysia has also remained steadfast in its support for Palestinian rights, utilizing all available diplomatic platforms to press for action against Israel. National Defence University of Malaysia lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam told BERNAMA, "We cannot attack Israel, and other countries that support Palestine are also doing the same." He argued for more decisive actions, such as closing embassies and applying stronger pressure at the United Nations, including suspending Israel’s membership.
Perhaps most notably, the conduct of Israel in Gaza throughout 2025 has prompted a profound shift in global opinion. According to Prof Dr Azmi Hassan of the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, "Israel's conduct in Gaza has caused these nations to now view Israel as a pariah in the international community." Nearly 157 nations now demand a two-state solution, reflecting a significant change in the international stance toward the conflict.
Looking ahead to 2026, experts agree that the Ukraine conflict will remain the primary strategic priority for major powers. University of Tasmania Professor of Asian Studies, Prof Dr James Chin, observed, "The Ukraine conflict is still ongoing, so that is where most of the world's attention is located." Professor Thayer echoed this sentiment, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to compromise will severely test Trump’s patience. Thayer noted that Trump has shown little inclination to increase pressure on Putin—whether through stepped-up sanctions or greater military support for Ukraine—leaving European NATO members to shoulder much of the burden.
In a year when the world has watched peace talks falter and conflicts deepen, the fragile progress made in Berlin stands as a rare, if tentative, sign of hope. Yet with so many crises still unresolved, the true test for global diplomacy lies ahead.