Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his New Year address on Thursday, exuded confidence in achieving victory in the Ukraine war. He assured its “fighters and commanders” that Moscow will continue to prevail in Ukraine.
He said this during his New Year address aired first in the Kamchatka peninsula, the easternmost Russian region to usher in 2026. The message was broadcast as Russia marked its main public holiday against the backdrop of a protracted and costly conflict.
Putin hailed the troops fighting in the war as “heroes” and sought to project resolve after nearly four years of fighting, as per The Moscow Times.
The president lauded the soldiers fighting on the front lines, saying, “We believe in you and our victory.”
Most of his New Year address was devoted to the war effort. He avoided mention of any allegations relating to the drone attack on his residence.
Notably, December 31 also marked 26 years since Putin first came to power in Russia.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict
With another year gone, the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues with no clear end in sight.
The war has taken a heavy human toll, with many military casualties on both sides, while millions of Ukrainians have been displaced due to the ongoing war.
The year 2025 saw an intensified diplomatic push led by the United States aimed at ending the hostilities. In the new year 2026, it would be interesting to see how the ongoing peace efforts would take shape.
After holding talks with US President Donald Trump in Florida, it is likely Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate in a summit with allied leaders in France on 06 January.
However, Moscow does not seem to be ready to soften its demands despite the escalated diplomatic activity.