Russia: the traditional wishes of Vladimir Putin marked by the Covid-19
Russian President Vladimir Putin, December 30, 2020. AP - Mikhail Klimentyev
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2 min
In Russia, where Christmas is not celebrated, the New Year is THE great end-of-year celebration, which the country celebrates little by little, throughout its 7 time zones from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad.
Like every year, Vladimir Poutine was in the game, with wishes necessarily very influenced by the health disaster underway in Russia, very affected by the pandemic.
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From our correspondent in Moscow,
Léo Vidal-Giraud
In Russia, the president's address is an integral part of the New Year's Eve tradition. A few moments before midnight, the televisions interrupt their umpteenth replay of Soviet cinema classics;
a fanfare echoes against the background of towers of the Kremlin, then Vladimir Poutine appears on the screen to wish the happy new year.
The exercise is agreed, full of obligatory passages: patriotism, the army, the memory of the Second World War, a satisfied return on the past year ... This year however, the coronavirus naturally held an important place.
With more than 110,000 deaths since the start of the year, and a second wave out of control, the health situation in Russia is catastrophic.
" The struggle continues "
“
Dear Russian citizens, dear friends.
In a few minutes, the year 2020 will come to an end.
A year ago, no one could imagine what hardships we would have to overcome
, said Vladimir Putin.
Unfortunately, the epidemic has not yet stopped.
The struggle continues.
Doctors, nurses, emergency services continue to work courageously.
I wish you all good health, faith, hope and love, as well as people who are all near and dear to me.
"
Then, traditionally, the Kremlin chimes echo, strike the twelve strokes of midnight, and to the sound of the national anthem, Russia enters, following its president, into the new year.
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Russia
Vladimir Poutine