Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his New Year’s message addressed to the Russian people, stated that the country will move forward confidently in 2025.

Putin’s message was broadcast at midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones, starting from Kamchatka and Chukotka in the Far East.

He said that Russia had strengthened its unity during the first quarter of the 21st century, a period during which he has been in power, achieving significant goals and overcoming challenges.

“And now, on the threshold of the new year, we think about the future. We are confident that everything will go well, and we will only move forward. We know for certain that our ultimate value is and will remain the destiny of Russia and the prosperity of its citizens,” he said.

Putin paid tribute to the Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, describing them as “true heroes,” but he did not elaborate on the state of the conflict or make predictions about how the situation on the battlefield would unfold in 2025.