Putin New Year's Address "Proud of 25 Years of Performance...Moving forward".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that he should be proud of his achievements so far for the new year of 2025, local media reported.

"There is still a lot to decide, but of course we can be proud of what we have already achieved," Putin said in his New Year's address released on Russia's state broadcaster.

Putin began leading Russia as acting president exactly 25 years ago on December 31, 1999, with the resignation of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

The following year, after being elected president in 2000, he succeeded in five terms this year, continuing his real power in Russia until 2030.

Putin called the achievements of the past 25 years "our common legacy and a reliable foundation for further development."

He also emphasized that "I am confident that everything will be fine" for Russia's future and that "Russia's fate and the well-being of its citizens have always been and will continue to be our ultimate value."

Russia has experienced several major events over the past quarter century, but has overcome them, he said, adding that "unity, faith, and ability have become stronger."

In particular, he did not directly mention the situation or prospects of the war in Ukraine, which is in its third year, but he has called the veterans "heroes" many times.

"He is a true hero who carries out the great military work of protecting Russia and strongly guarantees the peace and security of the people," Putin told soldiers, adding that he was "proud of your courage."

Putin's 2025 New Year's address, which lasted about three minutes against the backdrop of the Kremlin, was released on TV at midnight for 11 time zones in Russia, from the Far East.