The leaders of Ukraine and Russia both vowed to push for victory in New Year speeches.
both vowed to push for victory in New Year speeches, but while Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of gratitude and pain, Vladimir Putin urged duty to Russia, casting the war as a near-existential fight.
As the war drags into its 11th month, Moscow was unprepared for the staunch resistance and billions of dollars in Western weapons that have turned the tide in Ukraine’s favor. While trying to rally support among Russians amid embarrassing battlefield setbacks and growing internal criticism of his military strategy, Putin thanked Russian troops, but he also demanded more from them.
“We have always known, and today we are again convinced that the sovereign, independent, secure future of Russia depends only on us, on our strength and will,” he said.“It’s impossible to forget. And it’s impossible to forgive. But it’s possible to win,” he said.