Vladimir Putin says Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine was a precautionary step to repel aggression, accusing the West of “preparing for an invasion of our country, including Crimea.”
The Russian president made false claims about NATO enlargement, as well as Kyiv’s desire to acquire nuclear weapons, in a speech while celebrating the anniversary in Moscow of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Victory Day in Russia – an annual holiday – is the country’s most important holiday and a source of national pride, marked by a huge parade of soldiers and military equipment across Red Square.
Live news in Ukraine: Putin opposes Western “invasion plan”
But the background to this year’s spectacle of tanks, planes, missiles and missiles is different.
Russian troops are fighting in Ukraine, one of the deadliest conflicts in post-World War II Europe, which Putin described as a “special military operation.”
Intense attacks by Russian forces continue throughout the war-torn country, with ordinary Russians being told they are fighting “Nazism” again.
Today’s festivities began with the movement of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu around Red Square, congratulating the troops.
President Putin then took center stage and told his armed forces that they were now fighting for their country.
“You are fighting for our people in Donbass, for the security of our homeland, its future,” he said, trying to justify the battle in Ukraine.
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1:39 Victory Day parade in Russia
However, he did not take the opportunity to officially declare war or further mobilize the Russian military.
“The death of every soldier and officer is painful for us,” he said. “The state will do everything to take care of these families.
He ended his speech with a rally to the gathered soldiers: “For Russia, for victory, hurray!”
Sky defense analyst General Lord Danat described the parade as “ridiculous – in the context of what is happening on Ukraine’s battlefields today”.
“We know how badly the Russian military did,” he said. “This pomp and circumstance looks very professional, but when it comes to mud and blood in Ukraine, they were found not to have.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Indeed, what President Putin wants is for the Russian people and the world to be feared and intimidated by the ongoing memorial to militarism.
“I believe that the ongoing and unprovoked conflict in Ukraine is doing nothing but disgrace these same soldiers.
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“Putin’s Potential Madness”
The presentation of the Russian leader could be a sign that the war will end, said Sir Tony Brenton, a former British ambassador to Russia.
Speaking to Sky News, the top British diplomat said Putin had recently shown “worrying signs” of “loss”. But he said his speech today was “consistent” and “very professional.”
While Sir Tony said he did not agree with the message, which was trying to justify Russia’s invasion and attack NATO, he said it had “pressed all the right patriotic buttons”.
“It is very encouraging that he leaves me with the feeling that we are dealing with a rational person with whom we hope that in time it will be possible to make a sensible deal to put an end to all this mess,” he said.
Lord Danat agreed, saying Mr Putin’s question of rationality was important because any conflict with a nuclear power like Russia posed a risk of using nuclear weapons.
“The real concern is the irrationality of Putin’s potential madness, especially if he’s not well. “He looks pretty healthy to me this morning,” said the former British army chief.
He noted that President Putin looked rather “swollen” and struggled to move “freely” as he walked around the parade.
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