Russia’s Putin, In New Year Address, Voices Confidence In Victory In Ukraine
MOSCOW, Dec 31 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual televised New Year’s address to rally his soldiers fighting in Ukraine and said he believed in them and victory in a war he framed as part of an existential struggle with the West.
US President Donald Trump is trying to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict that is Europe’s bloodiest war since World War II, and the negotiating stances of both sides remain far apart.
Putin, whose forces are advancing slowly but steadily in Ukraine, wore a black jacket and spoke about the fate of Russia and the unity of its people, saying that this guarantees the sovereignty and security of the “Motherland”.
MIKHAIL METZEL via Getty Images
He especially commemorated the forces fighting in Ukraine and described them as heroes.
“I assure you that millions of people all over Russia are with you this New Year,” Putin said.
“They think about you, they empathize with you, they hope for you. I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy new year! We believe in you and our Victory!”
His speech, broadcast for the first time in Russia’s far east, came as Russia released video footage of a downed drone and presented it as evidence that Ukraine was trying to attack the presidential residence this week. Kiev rejected Russia’s claim, calling it a lie designed to derail peace talks.
In another video released Wednesday, Russia’s top general told troops to continue creating buffer zones in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions and said Moscow’s forces were advancing faster in December than in other months of 2025.
Reuters was unable to verify his battlefield claim.
(Reuters Written by Andrew Osborn Writing by Kevin Liffey Editing)
