As Vladimir Putin celebrates 25 years of rule over Russia, his first speech as president is resurfacing, showing a multitude of damage and the emergence of a very different leader.
A quarter of a century ago on New Year’s Eve, Putin was entrusted with the Kremlin for the first time.
Images of his December 31, 1999 speech in which he promised “freedom” and “democracy” for Russia.
Today, 25 years later, its main political enemies have been killed or imprisoned, repression abounds, elections are rigged and Europe is mired in the worst confrontation since World War II, with thousands dead.
The despot has also managed to survive a coup attempt and widescale protests.
It was on the eve of the new millennium that Putin came into force when then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin suddenly resigned.
Yeltsin had saved Russia from communist oppression and given it a chance to have a bright future.
In quitting, he handed power to his little-known prime minister, former KGB spy Vladimir Putin who he knew would protect his interests.
“Why cling to force for six months when the country has a strong leader who can be its president, a guy on whom almost all Russians pin their hopes for the future?” Yeltsin said after his resignation.
“Why stand in his way?”
Few could have guessed that Putin would be such a tyrant, having assassinated his main parties in conflict, Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny.
In 1999, the 47-year-old promised: “Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of the media, the right to property: those basic elements of a civilized society will be reliably obtained through the state. “
But, it was not to be.
Historical footage shows him – with midnight on the new millennium just seconds away in Moscow – making promises that over the years he betrayed, enriching himself and his cronies with palaces and secret fortunes while impoverishing his country.
Since then, Putin, now 72, has held on strong after the March 2000 election and was then re-elected in 2004, 2012, 2018 and 2024.
Between 2008 and 2012, he was Prime Minister, while maintaining his control over Russia, which still persists today and is very likely to continue.
Putin’s first act as President was to grant his predecessor Yeltsin immunity from corruption charges.
Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, told The Sun that Putin began his reign probably normally, but that megalomania had been present.
He said: “You don’t know anyone until they’re in that position of power. »
In his first address as leader on New Year’s Eve 25 years ago, Putin vowed there would not be a “power vacuum” in Russia.
He said: “Dear friends! Tonight, on New Year’s Eve, like you, I will pay attention to the greeting words of Russian President Boris Yeltsin to my circle of family and friends. But it turned out differently.
“Today, December 31, 1999, the first president of Russia resigns. He asked me to take care of the country.
“Dear Russians! Dear compatriots! Today I have been entrusted with the duty of the head of state.
“In three months the election of the President of Russia will be held. I draw your attention to the fact that for a minute there will be a vacuum of strength in the country.
“There has not been and will not be. I want to warn you that any attempts to go beyond Russian laws, beyond the Russian Constitution, will be resolutely suppressed.
“Freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of the media, the right to property: those basic elements of a civilized society will be trusted through the State. “
He continued: “The armed forces, the Federal Border Guard Service and law enforcement agencies are wearing down their paints as usual.
“The State has been and will continue to ensure the security of our people.
“In making his decision on the transfer of power, the president acted in full respect of the country’s constitution. Only after a while will it be possible to really evaluate everything that this man has done for Russia.
“Although today it is already evident that Russia has followed the path of democracy and reforms, has not deviated from this path and has managed to assert itself as a strong and independent state, that is its wonderful merit.
“I would like to wish Boris Yeltsin, the first President of Russia, health and happiness.
“New Year is the brightest, kindest and most beloved holiday in Russia.
“As you know, dreams come true on New Year’s Day. And on such an extraordinary New Year – even more so. All the good and all the good things you have planned will definitely come true.
“Dear friends! We are just seconds away from the year 2000. Let’s smile to our relatives and friends.
“Let’s wish each other warmth, happiness, love. And let’s raise our glasses for the new century of Russia, for love and peace in each of our homes, for the health of our parents and children.
“Happy New Year to you! Happy new century!”
Now, Putin’s power seems to be stronger than ever both at home and abroad.
Russian forces continued their war in Ukraine, while all Russian adversaries were removed from the scene and Putin’s re-election secured his position in power.
In his 25th New Year’s speech, which will be broadcast throughout Russia in each of the country’s time zones, Putin promised that Russia would “move forward” in 2025.
He said: “And now, on the threshold of the new year, we are thinking about the future. We are sure that everything will be fine, we will move forward.
“We know for sure that for us the absolute was, is and will be the destiny of Russia, the well-being of its citizens,” he said.
The despot also paid tribute to those on the front lines in Ukraine, calling them “true heroes. ”
He announced that 2025 would be identified as the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia.
Just days ago, he told the BBC that Russia took a knee when it took force and that its leaders had “pulled it out of the abyss”.
“We are doomed to a generalized loss of sovereignty,” he said.
But, some believe that Putin’s iron grip on power is built on foundations of sand and could easily and quickly fall through his hands.
Last year, Putin was nearly overthrown in a coup attempt led by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group.
Dr. Mendoza said: “I think what Prigozhin’s departure told us is that the regime is only one step away from disaster, one step away from fall, and although Putin would possibly have superficial control over intelligence in the world business, if there is a genuine threat, arises in its power, it is not really known if it will.
The Russia expert said that Putin was now less secure than he was five years ago as he hadn’t been able to achieve the decisive victory he pledged to in Ukraine.
“I think the biggest challenge he faces now is that he didn’t win the war in Ukraine,” Mendoza said.
“He promised he would win, and in a sense, for all the propagandizing and for all the storytelling, ordinary Russians will know that something is awry when Ukrainian drones strike Moscow.”
The ageing leader will also carry fears about who will succeed him as his health and age continue to spark concern.
The despot has a very different silhouette than 25 years ago.
In 1999, Putin was thin and younger despite being 50 years old, but now his fitness problems are due to his swollen face, strange tremors and shaky legs.
Such considerations have led the Kremlin to include unprecedented comments and statements to combat the symbol of an aging and decrepit leader.
The Kremlin’s considerations of the president’s “strongman” symbol come after he made dramatic adjustments to his appearance.
He realized that he was hunting exhausted, out of breath, with difficulty walking and making strange faces.
There were also times when Putin appeared to feel some pain when he gripped tables tightly at meetings, sparking rumors about Parkinson’s disease.
Around the same time in 2022, experts started noting his “bloated” and “weakened” appearance with some claiming he could have had thyroid cancer.
First, it was warned that Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine on February 24 could have been motivated by his poor physical condition.
But the Kremlin continues to deny that the dictator has any problems.
With Putin’s succession unclear, there could be a crisis point heading for Russia.
Most of his allies are of a similar age and Putin has not made clear about founding a dynasty.
Mendoza said that if Putin were to die suddenly it could even spark a civil war.
He said: “[The system] relies largely on Putin’s private force and there is an obvious possibility of collapse.
“If he dies and it’s not clear, it may simply be a war between other factions that might need to take power. “
DESPITE Putin’s cultivation of himself as an “action man” – questions have long been raised over his health.
The leader’s facial features have changed over time, according to reports, and could trigger imaginable symptoms of a serious illness affecting Putin.
After explosive documents were submitted to The Sun newspaper, rumors arose about the Russian president’s Parkinson’s disease and pancreatic cancer.
A persisting tale is that scores of Putin lookalikes – who have undergone years of painful plastic surgery – are ruthlessly trained by the FSB and kept under “constant surveillance”.
Based on the transformative nature of Vlad’s face and the strange changes in his behavior, commentators alleged that these replacements attended public appearances, public baths, and meetings.
In addition to all this, for years there have been telltale symptoms that threaten it.
He is noted shaking during his public sightings, appears unsteady, and is sometimes short of breath.
Mad Vlad has been seen clutching a thick blanket while watching a parade in 2022 and was even seen swaying and slurring as he spoke with a glass of champagne in his hand.
But his alleged fitness disorders hit a new low after it emerged that he had dirty himself in a fall at his home.
Putin was photographed with alleged lines of intravenous medicine on the back of his hand, amid rumors that he may also have other types of cancer, including abdominal cancer.
The elderly president is also followed by a huge team of doctors who reportedly accompany him in all his care in case of a medical emergency.
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