President Karis at the Christmas Reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Tallinn: the world is shaking, and has been for a number of years

It's December, it's the festive season, and the new year is just around the corner. As such, it is the perfect time to both look back and discuss the future - and even more importantly, to wish one another a peaceful Christmas and a happier and more promising 2026. We all hope for it; we all need it!

But the world is shaking, and has been for a number of years. We are constantly witnessing violence and human suffering, to which there seems to be no end. Some positive steps have been taken that have brought some peace or alleviated situations in conflict zones, but there remains too much hatred and hostility.

Russia's aggression is showing no signs of abating: cities continue to be bombed, industry and infrastructure destroyed, civilians killed, children separated from their families and deported. And all because of the inhuman, imperialistic, avaricious goals and mindset of certain persons. How did we come to this? Why have we been incapable of preventing what has happened?

This is the third full year of aggression in Ukraine, whose people have bravely stood up for their freedom, independence and country. But they are also fighting for our freedom, for our way of life, for the principles on which the democracies of Europe stand and for what our people stand for. This must be kept in mind until the conflict is settled, in a just and lasting way.

The stakes are very high. We all know that. As such, we all have to work and strive towards that just and lasting solution. Peace is not a thing in and of itself: it has to meet certain parameters, otherwise it will be neither lasting nor just. Violence and fighting will continue; injustice will prevail. We haven't failed yet, but we should be able to do better.

In Europe more attention should be given to countering the hybrid threats that are increasingly impinging on our lives. But the most important thing is for us to maintain the unity of our union. Without it, we lack the credibility we need and will not be able to withstand the challenges we face.

Globally we have seen rising tensios in some places, while in others they have subsided and there is light at the end of the tunnel. The United Nations Security Council is still struggling for relevance. In broader terms, the UN is undergoing reforms, or at least preparing to do so.

This is very much justified, as the world needs efficient governance and there are still too many problems to be solved globally, too many sustainable development goals to be fulfilled.

Next year, Estonia will take up its membership of the Human Rights Council, where over the next three years we will serve diligently to protect the rights of children and the media, and champion Internet freedom.

This year has been a very busy one for the Office of the President as well. International security has been high on my agenda, but I have also tried to turn more attention to promoting innovation and AI, and to widen the geographical scope of our foreign policy.

I addition to several visits to more distant countries, we should not overlook the Arraiolos meeting in October, when 11 presidents of EU Member States gathered in Tallinn to discuss European security and the challenges posed by AI. It was a pleasure to host so many dignitaries, indeed such good friends, here in our capital.

AI has introduced itself into our international vocabulary - and rightly so, as it is influencing our lives everywhere. Based on our positive experience of building up a widely regarded e-nation, we want to make the best use of AI.

In oder to be successful, we need strategic ecosystem development that links universities, start-ups and investors. AI involves risks, but also brings a lot of opportunities. We must neutralise the former and amplify the latter. The best and most genuine way of doing this is through education, which is what the Estonian AI Leap programme is all about.

It is no coincidence that we have gathered here today at the Estonian Centre for Children's Literature: 2025 has been the Year of the Book here in Estonia, as well as in Latvia, as we share the same heritage where the printing of books in our own languages is concerned.

Books are carriers of knowledge, bearers of wisdom, collections of reason and sensibility, igniters of good ideas and bringers of hope. Keep at least one book close to you: you never know, it could be your saviour, a comforter or redeemer in a time of need.

You may have noted that throughout the year we have sought book recommendations from our guests, including from you. With this initiative, we now have a large collection of global - some might even say universal -writings, and a large collection of wisdom. Thank you for that! We will use it wisely and diligently in the future, I promise.

The year is ending: a year peppered with a new type of unpredictability and somewhat aggressive communication style, but also with indications that the situation will improve and things will get better.

Risks remain, but so too does hope. Our task is to make the world safer and more caring, to give everyone a chance to pursue happiness. Next year will give us an opportunity try this once more. Let's stay united in that effort, because there is a certain power in working and keeping together.

I wish you all a merry Christmas, a peaceful holiday season and a very happy new year!