Putin wishes Russians victory in Ukraine in New Year speechListen to this articleRussian leader Vladimir Putin has insisted Moscow intends to take the rest of east Ukraine by force if diplomacy failsMOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said Russia believed it would win in Ukraine in an address Wednesday, as his country marked another New Year -- their main holiday -- at war. Putin devoted much of his short address to "fighters and commanders" in Ukraine. Addressing soldiers, whom he called "heroes", Putin said: "We believe in you and our victory." Putin's traditional speech was first aired in the far-eastern Kamchatka peninsula -- the first Russian region to enter 2026. Russia has called it a "terrorist attack" and a "personal attack" against Putin, saying it will toughen its negotiation stance in Ukraine war talks.

Source: Bangkok Post December 31, 2025 15:36 UTC