Vladimir Putin stated that Russia’s future “rests on” the soldiers fighting in Ukraine during his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow.
“There is nothing more important now than your combat effort,” he said.
The military parade commemorating the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany was reduced this year for security reasons.
Mr Putin also used his address to defend his invasion of Ukraine, blaming “Western globalist elites” of fomenting war.
Civilisation is once again “at a decisive turning point,” he remarked to a throng of only officials and veterans in Moscow’s Red Square, as the event was closed to the public.
Mr Putin told troops fighting in Ukraine, some of whom were there, that a “real war” had been “unleashed” on Russia. The truth is that Russia was the one that invaded Ukraine.
“The security of the country rests on you today, the future of our statehood, and our people depend on you,” he told them.
This was Russia’s second Victory Day parade since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, due to a spate of bombings and sabotage incidents around Russia in recent weeks, the celebrations have been cut back due to security concerns.
An alleged drone strike on the Kremlin was reported last week. Russia claimed it was an assassination attempt on Mr. Putin and laid the focus squarely on Ukraine and the US, both of which denied any involvement.
This year’s festival featured 3,000 fewer soldiers and military gear. The procession was shorter, and there was no military flyover or contemporary tanks, which are usually included. On Tuesday, the only tank on show was a World War II T-34.
However, for the first time since 2020, only a few international leaders were there.
Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was among the Central Asian leaders present. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan were also present in Red Square.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Central Asian leaders’ late decision to participate “likely indicates their reticence to show direct and public support for the war.”
Mr Putin’s speech echoed last year’s, likening the war against Ukraine’s “criminal regime” to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
He lashed out against the West, declaring that “their goal is nothing other than to see our country fall.”
Mr Putin stated that Russia desired a “peaceful future,” but accused Western elites of sowing seeds of “hatred and Russophobia” and eroding family values.
However, much of his address was devoted to his admiration for the deeds of Russian “heroes” in Ukraine.
“There is no cause stronger in the world than our love for our armed forces,” said Mr Putin, who is being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed in Ukraine.
“To Russia, to our armed forces,” he said as the Russian national anthem played.
Following Mr. Putin’s speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen convened a press conference in Kyiv.
President Zelensky stated that the intensified strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks were part of Russia’s efforts to “present something” to the military and political leadership after failing to seize Bakhmut in the east before Victory Day.
“They have to show that they destroyed something,” he said.
According to Ms von der Leyen, “the invaders have been dragged out of prisons” to fight for Russia, which has “dramatically failed” in the conflict.
In response to Mr. Putin’s address, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the EU should not be intimidated by the Russian president’s “show of force.”
“Let us remain firm in our support for Ukraine – for as long as it is required,” he urged the European Parliament.
