“There is still a lot to do”
Putin looks back “proudly” on 25 years of his rule
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25 years ago, Vladimir Putin took over as Russian president from his predecessor Yeltsin. In his New Year's speech, the Russian ruler looks back on this time with satisfaction – but also sees tasks that lie ahead for the country.
In his New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed “proud” of achievements during his rule over the past 25 years. “There is still a lot to do, but we can be proud of what has been achieved,” Putin said in his televised address, which also marked his 25th anniversary in power in Russia.
Putin made only a vague allusion to the conflict in Ukraine in his New Year's speech. As in the previous year, he praised the Russian soldiers: “On this New Year's Eve, the thoughts and hopes of relatives and friends, of millions of people all over Russia are with our fighters and commanders,” said Putin. “You are true heroes who have undertaken these enormous efforts,” said the head of state. They would protect Russia and ensure security and a stable peace for the Russian people.
“On the threshold of a new year, we think about the future. We are sure that everything will be fine. We will always move forward,” he said. Putin's New Year's speech, which was only three and a half minutes long, was broadcast first in the Russian Far East. The largest country in the world spans eleven time zones. On the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east, the New Year begins nine hours before the capital Moscow, while Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea only celebrates New Year's Eve an hour after Moscow.
The New Year's address coincides with the relentless advance of Russian troops in Ukraine. US President-elect Donald Trump wants to bring about a ceasefire as quickly as possible after taking office on January 20th.
Putin became president of Russia for the first time on December 31, 1999, after his predecessor Boris Yeltsin resigned and apologized for the chaos in post-Soviet Russia. The President's New Year's address will be watched by millions of households in Russia.
