In his New Year’s address, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a stark message to the West and his own military: Russia will not retreat from Ukraine.
As 2026 dawned in Russia’s far eastern territories, Putin promised victory in the nearly four-year-long war, lauding Russian soldiers and depicting the conflict as a battle for national survival — even as the United States escalates diplomatic efforts to halt the violence.
“We believe in you and our victory,” Putin said in remarks broadcast across the nation and released by the Kremlin on Wednesday. Speaking directly to troops, he hailed “all our soldiers and commanders” and promised sustained support for what Moscow terms its “special military operation.”
Putin portrayed the war as a fight for Russia’s homeland, for “truth and justice,” showing resolve to push forward despite rising casualties and global opposition.
In a separate message, former President Dmitry Medvedev — deputy chair of the security council — said of victory in Ukraine: “I sincerely believe that it is near.” Echoing Putin, he spoke of “our great and invincible Russia.”
The defiant tone comes as the war approaches grim milestones. On Jan. 12, the conflict will surpass the 1,418 days the Soviet Union fought Nazi Germany in Europe during World War II. On Feb. 24, the war will enter its fourth year. Western estimates put the number of killed and wounded at more than 1 million — a figure the Kremlin disputes.
Putin’s rhetoric sharply contrasted with renewed diplomatic efforts led by Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Sunday, as the White House explores possible paths to end Europe’s largest land war since World War II.
Following the meeting, Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia were “closer than ever” to peace, while noting significant hurdles remain — particularly . Reuters also reported that Trump and Zelenskyy talked about possible U.S. troop deployment as part of wider security guarantees, though no decisions were announced.
Reuters contributed to this report.