Mr Putin said that presidential elections would be held in three months, and that there would be no power vacuum in the country even for a minute.
Mr Putin stressed that Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first president, had acted in full conformity with the Russian constitution in deciding to hand over power.
Mr Putin wished Mr Yeltsin health and happiness.
The acting president wished the people of Russia a Happy New Year and good luck in the new millennium.
See also
New Year Address by Acting President Vladimir Putin
December 31, 1999