Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his annual New Year's address to deliver a defiant message aimed squarely at his military forces in Ukraine, directly challenging peace efforts reportedly spearheaded by former US President Donald Trump.
A Patriotic Rallying Cry to Troops
In a speech broadcast as 2026 arrived in Russia's far east, the Kremlin leader bypassed traditional festive greetings to focus on the ongoing conflict. Putin explicitly congratulated Russian soldiers and commanders, declaring, "We believe in you and our victory." The address was filmed within the Kremlin walls, with the 73-year-old president appearing in heavy makeup.
The timing of the bellicose message is highly significant. Putin spoke less than a fortnight before his war in Ukraine is set to surpass the 1,418 days that Soviet leader Josef Stalin led the USSR during its involvement in the Second World War in Europe from 1941 to 1945. By 12 January 2026, the Russian invasion will have lasted longer than that pivotal period.
Scuttling Peace Moves While Prolonging War
Analysts view the speech as a clear signal that Moscow has no intention of engaging sincerely with proposed peace negotiations. The Russian ruler appears determined to continue the fighting while giving the superficial impression of participating in dialogue. This stance is seen as a direct rebuff to Donald Trump, who has repeatedly stated his intention to broker a swift end to the war if he returns to the White House.
In his patriotic-charged remarks, Putin framed the conflict as a righteous struggle, stating that Russian fighters "have taken on the responsibility of fighting for your homeland, for truth and justice." He pledged to support the participants of what Russia calls its "special military operation" with both "words and deeds."
A Grim Milestone and United Front
The human cost of the war remains staggering, with estimates suggesting more than one million people have been killed or maimed since the invasion began in February 2022. The conflict will reach the four-year mark on 22 February 2026.
Putin's hardline position was echoed by his close ally and security council deputy, former president Dmitry Medvedev. In a separate message, Medvedev expressed his sincere belief that victory in Ukraine is "near," parroting Putin's rhetoric about "our great and invincible Russia."
The Russian president concluded with a call for self-reliance, telling citizens, "The future lies ahead of us, and what it will be like depends largely on us. We rely on our own strength and on those who are close to us, who are dear to us." This unified front from the Kremlin's top brass suggests a prolonged and intensified phase of the war, casting serious doubt on the prospects for any near-term diplomatic resolution.
