Russian President Vladimir Putin assured in his New Year's address on Sunday that his country will “never give in” after “resolutely defending” its interests in 2023, without specifically mentioning Ukraine.
“We have proven time and time again that we can solve the most difficult tasks and that we will never give in because no force can divide us,” he said on television.
Although Vladimir Putin did not directly mention the conflict in Ukraine that began almost two years ago, he made several allusions to it, such as paying tribute to the soldiers, “our heroes.”
But unlike last year, when the president appeared flanked by soldiers in uniform, this time, against the traditional backdrop of the Kremlin, he announced that the year 2024 would be that of the “family”.
In 2023, “we resolutely defended our national interests, our freedom and our security, our values,” he said in the speech, broadcast for the first time in the Russian Far East, taking into account the different time zones from Moscow.
The president assured that Russia, which is in a “historic phase,” will be “even stronger” next year.
Vladimir Putin assured in his wishes last year that “moral and historical correctness” was “on the side” of Russia.