Putin wishes Russians a happy New Year in ‘turbulent’ and ‘dissonant’ times

Vladimir Putin’s annual New Year’s address to the Russian people noted that the country is “standing on the threshold of the third decade of the 21st century” in an era of contradictions.

“We live in a turbulent, dynamic, dissonant time, but we can and must do everything possible for Russia to develop successfully and for everything in our lives to change for the better,” the president said.

The first to hear his address were residents of the Kamchatka Peninsula on the Pacific Ocean, who are already a few hours into the new year.

In his speech, Putin added that the personal dreams of individual Russians are inseparable from the fate of the country as a whole. He concluded by wishing viewers a festive holiday surrounded by loved ones and marked by “the happiness of mutual understanding.”