AS Vladimir Putin celebrates 25 years of rule over Russia, his first speech as president resurfaced showing a slew of broken promises 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.
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Footage from his address on December 31, 1999, shows him committing himself to “freedom” and “democracy” for Russia.
Now, 25 years on, his main political foes have been killed or jailed, repression is rife, elections are rigged, and Europe is plunged into the worst conflict since WW2 with hundreds of thousands slaughtered.
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 to power when the then-Russian president Boris Yeltsin suddenly quit.
Yeltsin had saved Russia from Communist oppression, and given it the chance of 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 power for six more months when the country has a strong leader who can be its president, a man on whom nearly all Russians are pinning their hopes for the future?” Yeltsin said during his resignation.
“Why stand in his way?”
Few could guess that Putin would turn into such a tyrant, having since had his leading challengers Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny murdered.
In 1999, the 47-year-old vowed: “Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of the media, property rights – these fundamental elements of a civilised society will be reliably protected by 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.
Putin, now 72, has since clung to power after winning the election in March 2000 and then being re-elected in 2004, 2012, 2018, and 2024.
Between 2008 and 2012 he served as prime minister yet retained his stranglehold on Russia which lasts to this day and is set 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 had started out his reign seemingly normal, but the megalomania had always been there.
He said: “You don’t really know anyone until they assume 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.
PUTIN’S FIRST ADDRESS
He said: “Dear friends! Tonight on New Year’s Eve, like you, I was going to listen to the words of greetings from the President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, with my family and friends. But it turned out differently.
“Today, on 31 December 1999, the first President of Russia decided to resign. He asked me to address the country.
“Dear Russians! Dear compatriots! Today I have been entrusted with the duty of the head of state.
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“In three months’ time, the election of the President of Russia will take place. I draw your attention to the fact that there will not be a power vacuum in the country for a minute.
“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 speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of the media, property rights – these fundamental elements of a civilised society will be reliably protected by the state.”
He continued: “The armed forces, the Federal Border Guard Service and law enforcement agencies are carrying out their work as usual.
“The state has stood and will continue to stand guard over the security of each of our people.
“In making his decision on the transfer of power, the President acted in full compliance with the Constitution of the country. It will only be possible to truly assess how much this man has done for Russia after some time.
“Although it is already clear today that Russia has followed the path of democracy and reforms, has not strayed from this path, and has been able to assert itself as a strong independent state – it is his great merit.
“I would like to wish Boris Yeltsin, the first President of Russia, health and happiness.
“New Year is the brightest, kindest, most favourite 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!”
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Now, Putin’s power seems to be stronger than ever both at home and abroad.
Russian forces have continued their war in Ukraine, while any and all challengers at home have been removed from the scene and Putin’s re-election has secured his place in power.
In his 25th New Year address that will be aired across Russia at midnight in each of the country’s timezones, Putin has vowed that Russia will “move forward” in 2025.
He said: “And now, on the threshold of the new year, we are thinking about the future. We are confident that everything will be fine, we will only move forward.
“We know for sure that the absolute value for us was, is and will be the fate of Russia, the well-being of its citizens,” he said.
The despot also paid tribute to those on the frontline in Ukraine calling them “true heroes.”
He also announced that 2025 will be recognized as the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia.
Just days ago he told the BBC that Russia was on its knees when he took over and that his leadership has “pulled [it] back from the edge of the abyss.”
“We were heading towards a complete total loss of sovereignty,” he said.
FRAGILE REGIME?
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 almost removed in a coup attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner group.
Dr Mendoza said: “I think what the Prigozhin’s march told us was that the regime is only ever one step away from disaster, one step away from falling, and although Putin may have a superficial control over intelligence over the business community if a real threat emerges to his power, it’s very unclear whether he’d survive it.”
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 main problem he faces right now is that he’s not won 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 cuts a starkly different figure than he did 25 years ago.
In 1999, Putin was slim and youthful despite pushing 50, whereas he now regularly sparks health concerns with a puffy face, bizarre tremors, and twitching legs.
Such concerns have seen the Kremlin rush out unprecedented comments and statements to fight the image of an ageing and decrepit leader.
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The Kremlin‘s concerns about the president’s “strongman” image come after it took a hit due to dramatic changes in his appearance.
He has been seen looking exhausted, out of breath, having difficulty walking, and pulling bizarre gurning faces.
There have also been times when Putin appeared to be in some kind of pain as he strongly gripped tables while in meetings, sparking rumours of Parkinson’s.
Around the same time in 2022, experts started noting his “bloated” and “weakened” appearance with some claiming he could have had thyroid cancer.
It was initially suggested that Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine on February 24 may have been sparked by his failing physical condition.
But, the Kremlin has continued to deny that the dictator has any health issues.
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: “It [the system] is very much based on Putin’s own personal power and there is obviously the potential for a collapse.
“If he dies and this is unclear, it might be warfare between various factions who might want to take over.”
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Putin’s rumoured health issues
DESPITE Putin’s cultivation of himself as an “action man” – questions have long been raised over his health.