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Vladimir Putin did not mention the invasion of Ukraine in his New Year’s address.
However, he spoke volumes about the country’s progress over the past 25 years – as long as he has been in power.
– We will just continue forward, Putin said Reuters.
The speech was delivered exactly 25 years after Vladimir Putin, 72, took over as president following the resignation of Boris Yeltsin.
He assured the Russians that their well-being is his top priority, writes Reuters. He spoke of the trials and goals that have strengthened the country over the past 25 years.
– And now, as we stand on the threshold of the new year, we think about the future. We are confident that everything will be fine, we will just keep moving forward, Putin said.
Paying tribute to the soldiers
He described Russia’s soldiers in Ukraine as heroes.
– We are proud of your courage, we believe in you, he said.
But he did not specifically mention Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, or what the odds look like to end the war.
US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he will see a “quick” end to the war when he takes office on January 20.