New Year Address to the Nation

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Citizens of Russia, friends,

At this moment, as we stand on the threshold of the New Year, we all feel the passage of time. Before us lies the future, and what it holds largely depends on us.

We draw strength from within ourselves and from those who stand beside us - those who are dear and close to our hearts - and we are always ready to lend our shoulder in return. This mutual support gives us confidence that all our aspirations, hopes, and plans will definitely be realised.

Naturally, each of us has personal, unique dreams, very special in their own way. Yet they are inseparable from the destiny of our Motherland and from the sincere desire to be of service to it.

For we are united - the people of Russia. The labour, achievements, and successes of each of us add new chapters to its thousand-year history, while the strength of our unity determines the sovereignty and security of our Fatherland, its development, and its future.

The New Year is, above all, a time when we hope for the best, for goodness and good luck. It is a special and magical holiday, when we open our hearts to love, friendship, and compassion, to sympathy and generosity.

We strive to bring joy and warmth through our care for those in need of support and, of course, to stand by our heroes - the participants in the special military operation - in both word and deed.

You have taken upon yourselves the duty of fighting for our native land, for truth and for justice. On this New Year's Eve, millions of people across Russia, I assure you, are with you: they think of you, share your feelings, and place their hopes in you. We are united by a sincere, selfless, and devoted love for Russia.

I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy New Year! We believe in you and in our victory.

Friends,

In just a few moments, we will hear the chimes of the Kremlin clock, and the New Year will begin. We welcome it together with the nearest and dearest: our children, parents, friends, and comrades-in-arms. Even those who are far away - you are still with us in spirit.

I wish you all good health and happiness, understanding and prosperity. And, above all, love which inspires us. May our traditions, faith, and memory bind all generations together, supporting us always and in everything.

We are one - a great, strong, and united family, and that is why we will continue to work and to create, to achieve our goals, moving only forward for the benefit of our children and grandchildren, for the benefit of our great Russia.

Happy New Year, friends!

Happy 2026!