Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow’s Red Square to justify his war in Ukraine and denounced NATO.
Speaking in front of hundreds of military people and surrounded by a few international leaders, the Russian president claimed to be fighting a “just” war and referred to Ukraine as an “aggressive force” that is “armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc.”
His comments come amid muted festivities around Russia on the country’s most important national holiday, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
Before the celebrations, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day cease-fire, which was announced by US President Donald Trump on Friday.
Following the parade, Russia’s defense ministry accused Ukraine of breaking the ceasefire without providing details.
Ukraine did not immediately respond. The Victory Day parade in Moscow featured no armored vehicles or ballistic missiles for the first time in years.
Military personnel marched in droves across Red Square under tightened security. Putin began his speech by commemorating the sacrifices of USSR soldiers during WWII.
“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” he said, referring to the war in Ukraine.
“They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the whole bloc of NATO. And despite this, our heroes move forward.”
The Russian president went on to celebrate the citizens of Russia, making reference to the contributions of workers to its war effort, including scientists, inventors, military correspondents, doctors, and teachers.
“No matter how military tactics change, the future of the country is being provided for by the people,” he said.
Following the address, cannons fired multiple rounds of music performed by a military brass band.
Foreign visitors in attendance included Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko, Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim, and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the only EU representative in attendance, was also spotted with Putin at the Kremlin before the procession.
There were much fewer foreign leaders in attendance than during last year’s 80th anniversary parade, which featured 27 leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
After the ceremony in Red Square, Putin lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before attending a Kremlin banquet.
Victory Day celebrations were conducted in various parts of Russia, albeit in smaller numbers than prior years.
In far-eastern Vladivostok, a parade and Immortal Regiment march honored war veterans.
Marches were also held in a number of other places, including Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, and St. Petersburg, state media said.
Other parades were canceled entirely, with others choosing to stage virtual gatherings.
Under Putin, Victory Day has been utilized as a propaganda weapon to highlight Russia’s military superiority.
However, it is also viewed as a time to recall the sacrifices made during World War II, or the Great Patriotic War as it is known in Russia, in which 27 million Soviet citizens died.
