Putin makes no mention of Ukraine war in New Year’s Eve speech

The presidents of Russia and Ukraine took starkly different approaches to their New Year’s Eve speeches late Sunday as their nations rang in yet another new year under war. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a lengthy, poetic speech uplifting his country’s strength and unity in the face of terror, Russia’s Vladimir Putin gave no mention to the brutal war he launched nearly two years ago that’s so far killed or injured about a half-million troops. “The year 2023 is coming to an end. Another year of our independence, another year of our fight for independence, another year of war,” Zelensky said. “War for our land, for our freedom, for each other.” While Zelensky mentioned the words “war” or “warrior” 19 times throughout his address, Putin refused to even the terms in his speech, apparently opting instead for warm-fuzzies. “I would like to convey my very best wishes for the new year to all Russian families. After all, the history of our huge, wonderful, and beloved Mother