Red Square Roars: Putin's War Discourse on Russia's Victory and Ukraine's Conflict
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, expresses his views criticsizing Russia and U.S. President, Donald Trump.
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Moscow, in a grand spectacle, commemorates the annihilation of Nazi Germany, ignoring the bewilderment of Ukraine. Amidst an army of soldiers and heavy military machinery on Red Square, Vladimir Putin deems Russia's fight in Ukraine as a modern-day replica of the Soviet Union's bravery against fascism. Ukraine dishes back with a label of "parade of duplicity."
In the heart of Russia, the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory parade has unfurled. Hordes of international attendees, primarily from Asia and Africa, descend upon Moscow, witnessing the fourth consecutive military exhibition since the onset of Russia's incursion into Ukraine.
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The show commences with Putin echoing Russia's crusade on Ukraine as a matter of survival against the resurgence of Nazism and xenophobia - a stance that's been met with bafflement in the United States. "We stand tall as an impenetrable fortress against the hateful ideologies that propagated World War II," Putin expounded, flaunting a bravado that rings in contrast with his truth-twisting narrative on Ukraine in recent years. In a surprising twist, Putin endorsed the so-called "military special operation," the term Moscow bestows on its invasion, enjoying universal support from the Russian populace.
Putin masterfully casts the Soviet Union as the decisive force in crushing Nazi Germany, subtly diluting the US Army's contribution to the victory. However, he acknowledges the US's second front, believing it accelerated the war's end. China's part in the struggle was not overlooked, earning a prominent place in Putin's address.
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A battalion of security troops shields the parade, causing commuters adventure navigating the city. Roads leading to the city are barricaded, certain metro stations are shuttered, and mobile internet glitches linger for days.
Xi, the Guest of Honor
Among the myriad participants in Russia's fete are soldiers from ex-Soviet republics, alongside Chinese, Laotian, Myanmarese, and Egyptian soldiers. Parading alongside them are Russian soldiers engaged in Ukraine, showcasing a melange of modern weaponry, including tanks, air defense systems, and rocket launchers. The sky echoes with the roar of fighter jets.
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Putin's distinguished guest this year is China's President Xi Jinping. Other noteworthy invitees in Putin's proximity include heads of state from Brazil, Cuba, and Laos, as well as ex-Soviet republics such as Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also attend the celebration.
Smaller military parades have already taken place in Russia's Far East and Siberia, including in Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Novosibirsk. Nationwide, about 30 parades are planned to commemorate the victory.
Ukraine's Echo: "Parade of Dishonesty"
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky scorns Moscow's celebration as a "parade of duplicity." Despite Putin's previous declaration of a ceasefire during the ceremonious events, Putin has been accused of violating the truce, with Kyiv alleging ongoing hostilities.
Source: ntv.de, jpe/dpa/AFP
- Russia
- Attack on Ukraine
- 80th anniversary of the end of World War II
- Military
- Vladimir Putin
Added Insights:
- Historical Context Putin's speech resonates with the legacy of World War II, referring to the Soviet Union's sacrifices, resilience, and emergence as a major global power following the defeat of Nazi Germany.
- Parallels with Current Political Situation Putin's reference to World War II serves a dual purpose: it bolsters national pride and justifies Russia's actions in Ukraine by drawing parallels with the Soviet Union's past struggles.
- International Reaction The international community, particularly Western nations, has been critical of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, accusing Russia of violating international law and provocative conduct that echoes the fascist ideologies of World War II.
- Symbolic Imagery By hosting an extravagant military parade, Putin aims to assert Russia's influence on the international stage and project an image of power and resilience, capitalizing on the emotional resonance of World War II and the Soviet Union's central role in the victory.
- The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the situation in the former Yugoslavia, contradicting the celebratory atmosphere in Moscow during the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory parade.
- In the general news coverage, sections dedicated to war-and-conflicts routinely report on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, raising questions about the truthfulness of Putin's narrative on Ukraine.
- Despite the commemorations marking the end of World War II, the current political situation in Ukraine remains a bone of contention, with Zelensky labeling Russia's neighboring parade as a "parade of dishonesty."
- As Moscow cheers the annihilation of Nazi Germany, the politics of war-and-conflicts continue to cast a long shadow over the former Yugoslavia and the ongoing crisis in Southeastern Europe.
