MOSCOW: Russia´s President Vladimir Putin wished his compatriots "changes for the better" in 2018 in his traditional televised New Year´s address on Sunday.
"Let the New Year bring changes for the better in the life of every person and every family", Putin told Russians in a speech aired by state television and reported by Russian agencies. Residents of the country´s most eastern region of Kamchatka will be the first to hear the speech that is shown a few minutes before midnight in each of Russia´s eleven time zones.
The Russian leader addressed "special wishes" to "all of those who are working now, fulfilling their military or professional duty", agencies reported. He also thanked Russians for "believing in themselves and in our country".
He also wished "peace and prosperity to our great Russia, the dear and only one". Putin has been in power since 1999 and seeks a historic fourth presidential term in March 2018 elections. He is widely expected to win the vote that would extend his rule until 2024 and make him the longest serving Russian leader since dictator Joseph Stalin. Russia will also host 2018´s football World Cup, one of the world´s largest sporting events.m
Russia has said from the outset that it believes Ukraine was linked to the attack
The bill would give mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition
Leftist opposition parties submitted a censure motion against the conservative government this week
The ministry alleged that the driver lost control and collided with barriers on the bridge
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has held up a bill for months that would supply $60 billion in military and financial...
The results are likely to be shaped in part by economic woes driven by rampant inflation