Putin vows to 'never back down' in New Year's Eve address

Russia would "never back down," President Vladimir Putin said in his New Year's Eve address on Sunday.
In his speech, Putin praised Russian troops "on the battlefield" without specifically mentioning Ukraine.
"We have repeatedly proved that we are able to solve the most difficult tasks and will never retreat, because there is no force that can separate us," Putin said.
He went on to say that 2024 would be a "year of the family."
"To all those who are on duty, on the front line of the fight for truth and justice," he said, "you are our heroes. Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you, we admire your courage."
The televised speech was aired just before midnight in each of Russia's 11 timezones. It is a tradition which dates back to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, reports DW.
"The main thing that has united us and unites us still is the fate of the fatherland, the deep understanding of the highest significance of the historical stage that Russia is going through."