Putin Defends Russia's Strength and Speaks on Ukraine in Moscow's Anniversary Parade
Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, expresses disapproval towards Russia's allegiances, as well as his counterpart, President Trump.
Hey there! Lend me your ears, for today I'll be taking you to the heart of Russia to witness a grand spectacle in Moscow.
Russia has been marking the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany with a monumental parade. Hordes of soldiers and heavy military equipment marched on the infamous Red Square, with international guests from Asia, Africa, and other regions gathering to spectate. As this is the fourth such parade since the inception of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it's clear that the event holds significant importance for the nation.
Politics Putin's Power Play
As the parade commenced, President Putin drew parallels between Russia's attack on Ukraine and the Soviet Union's defense against Nazi Germany in World War II, stating, "Russia remains an insurmountable barrier to Nazism, Russophobia, and anti-Semitism, and will fight against the excesses committed by the henchmen of these aggressive destructive ideas." Despite his years of deception about Ukraine's activities, Putin maintained that the truth and justice were on Russia's side.
Putin also emphasized the crucial role that soldiers from the Soviet Army—including hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians—played in the defeat of Hitler's Germany, which indirectly challenged the credibility of US President Donald Trump's previous statements about the USA's decisive contribution to the war. Putin conceded that the opening of a second front by the Soviet Union post-destruction of a major portion of the Wehrmacht hastened the victory, but he did not explicitly mention France, Britain, or the USA individually. Instead, he focused on China's contribution in the war.
Politics A Day to Remember
Thousands of security personnel were deployed to ensure the safety and smooth flow of the parade. Unfortunately, the city center was closed to traffic, and roadblocks made it difficult for commuters to move around during early morning hours. Some metro stations were shut down, and internet connectivity issues plagued the city for days prior to the parade.
Guests of Honor
Approximately 10,000 parade participants represented nations from around the globe, including several other former Soviet republics, as well as China, Laos, Myanmar, and Egypt. Soldiers currently deployed in Ukraine were among the marchers themselves. The display included tanks, air defense systems, rocket systems, and a flyover of Russian fighter jets.
The VIP List
Chinese President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping was Putin's most vital guest this year. State heads and government officials from Brazil, Cuba, and Laos, as well as the former Soviet republics Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, were also in attendance. Slovakia's Robert Fico was the only head of government from an EU and NATO country present, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was also in Moscow.
More Parades to Come
Several smaller-scale military parades had already taken place in Russia's Far East and Siberia during this week, such as those in Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Novosibirsk. The total number of parades held throughout the country amounts to around 30 spectacles.
Controversy Surrounding the Parade
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky didn't hold back in his criticisms of the Moscow event, calling it a "parade of cynicism." Going a step further, Zelensky accused Russia of breaking a three-day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict that Putin had unilaterally declared during the commemorative ceremonies.
References:
- ntv.de
- jpe/dpa/AFP
- imanet.org
- theguardian.com
- The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the situation in the former Yugoslavia, contradicting Russia's stance on war-and-conflicts in politics and general news, as the Moscow parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of their victory over Nazi Germany took place.
- Among the guests of honor at the Moscow parade were the leaders from several former Soviet republics, such as Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, although none from the EU, including Ukraine, were present.
- Despite the mass attendance of marchers in Moscow's parade, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of breaking a three-day ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which Putin had unilaterally declared during the commemorative ceremonies.
- As thousands of security personnel ensured the safety and smooth flow of the parade, many obstacles were encountered by commuters, with roadblocks and internet connectivity issues causing inconvenience in Moscow during the early morning hours of the event.
