In his New Year's national address, Putin says Russians expect ‘important changes’

In the president’s annual New Year’s greeting — where he addresses the nation at the stroke of midnight — Vladimir Putin didn’t say a word about the events of 2017, noting that Russians are greeting the new year “with special warmth and the expectation of important changes” that in his view “are sure to come to our lives, if each of us always remembers their parents [...] and if we better understand our children, their aspirations, and their dreams.”

Putin also thanked Russians for “believing in themselves and their country” and for “their work and the results they achieved,” and wished the nation “trust and understanding.” As he does every year, the president also wished a happy holiday to Russia’s soldiers and everyone in public transportation and at hospitals working on December 31 and January 1.