In his traditional New Year’s address, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on his countrymen to “unite” in order to promote the “development” of the country. “We live in turbulent, dynamic and contradictory times, but we can and must do everything for Russia to develop successfully,” said Putin, who has been in power in Russia for 20 years.
On New Year’s Eve 1999 Putin took over the official business after the surprising resignation of the then President Boris Yeltsin. “Only together can we face the challenges that society and the country are facing,” said the 67-year-old president in a speech previously broadcast by state television broadcaster Rossjia 1. “Our unity is the basis for the fulfillment of the highest goals.”
With a view to the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the coming year, Putin also honored the veterans of the Second World War as a “heroic generation”. Moscow wants to celebrate May 9, one of the most important Russian holidays, with heads of state from all over the world next year.
The Russian President’s New Year’s address has been a tradition since the 1970s and is always broadcast on television in the eleven time zones of the huge country shortly before midnight.
On December 31, 1999, then President Yeltsin shocked his compatriots with the announcement that he would make the speech for the last time. He handed over the official business to his Prime Minister Putin. Yeltsin was badly injured after several heart attacks and due to an alcohol problem. He announced that Russia must “enter the new millennium with new politicians”.
Since then, Putin has been president with a four-year hiatus. In 2008, his confidante Dmitry Medvedev temporarily assumed the highest office while Putin was prime minister.
Source: Apa / Ag.
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