In his annual year-end speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia would not yield, emphasizing national unity and resilience in the face of challenges. The broadcast, scheduled shortly before midnight in each time zone, featured a prerecorded address lasting just under four minutes, a notable departure from the previous year’s longer speech.
Putin, in his remarks, highlighted Russia’s proven ability to overcome formidable challenges, declaring, “We have repeatedly proven that we can solve the most difficult problems and will never back down because there is no force that can separate us,” according to the AFP news agency. While not explicitly mentioning Ukraine, the ongoing two-year war in the region was a central theme, with Putin focusing on the shared destiny of the nation and its historical significance.
Addressing the soldiers at the front lines, Putin expressed pride and gratitude, stating, “We are proud of you, you are heroes, you feel the support of the entire people.” However, he notably omitted any reference to the tragic events in Belgorod on Saturday, where a deadly shelling claimed the lives of 24 people, including three children, and left 108 others injured, as reported by AFP.
Despite the usual festivities, Moscow experienced subdued celebrations, with the cancellation of the traditional fireworks and Red Square concert for the second consecutive year.
{Matzav.com}
