Moscow's military parade as a diversionary tactic: Attacks on Ukraine continue unabated
Moscow. 80 years after the end of World War II, Russia is commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 with its traditional military parade today (9:00 a.m. CEST). It is the fourth parade featuring thousands of soldiers and heavy military equipment on Red Square since the start of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. Kyiv has criticized the weapons display as a cynical show of force. Europe is demonstrating its support for Kyiv at a meeting of several EU foreign ministers in Lviv, western Ukraine.
Among other things, the ministers plan to announce the provision of one billion euros for the Ukrainian arms industry, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the previous evening. This is another "very important signal" for Ukraine. The aid is based on a Danish initiative, and various EU member states are participating. The new German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul (CDU), will also attend the meeting. He arrived in Ukraine on Thursday evening.
Security measures are tighter than usual at the demonstrations of power in Moscow, partly due to threats from Ukraine not to comply with a ceasefire ordered by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Given the numerous Ukrainian drone flights into Russian airspace in recent days, not only the air defense crews but also the parade attendees are likely to cast a worried glance at the sky more often. Russia had announced a three-day ceasefire for the celebrations, but Kyiv had instead called for a 30-day ceasefire as a basis for possible peace talks.
There was little sign of the ceasefire on the front lines in Ukraine. The Ukrainian military accused the opposing side of hundreds of violations of this Moscow order. The Defense Ministry in Moscow, however, claimed that the Russian army was strictly adhering to the ceasefire ordered by Putin and was only responding to Ukrainian attacks.
In Ukraine, the ceasefire announced by Kremlin leader Putin is turning out to be a farce. During a visit to the frontline sector by battalion commander Shevchenko, the war continues unabated. The officer considers Putin's move a deception – and is now pinning his hopes on the new German Chancellor, Merz.
According to Ukrainian sources, the city of Sumy in the east of the country alone was attacked by the Russian Air Force with around 100 glide bombs during the course of Thursday. In doing so, Russia "showed the world how it is observing the self-proclaimed ceasefire," Kyiv Air Force spokesman Yuri Ihnat said on television.
According to Kallas, the EU foreign ministers' trip will also provide the final political approval for the establishment of the planned international special tribunal, before which Russia can be held accountable for its war of aggression against Ukraine. "There will be no impunity," she emphasized.
In his speech at the military parade, Putin is expected to once again defend the invasion of his neighboring country, which he ordered. This is also the reason why Western representatives are staying away. Slovak Robert Fico is the only head of government of an EU and NATO member expected in Moscow. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is also in Moscow. Putin's most important guest, however, is Chinese President and Party leader Xi Jinping.
On the eve of the parade, Putin welcomed the visiting heads of state and government to a dinner in the Kremlin, followed by a concert. The Kremlin chief greeted his guests with hugs and extended handshakes, the state news agency TASS reported. Among others, Putin extended a "friendly hug" to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Kanel. The Russian president distributed bouquets of flowers to the wives of the politicians and women in the delegations who had traveled with him.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the current situation, including on Ukraine's fronts, in a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump this evening. They emphasized the need to continue the struggle for peace. "I informed him (Trump) that Ukraine is ready for a 30-day ceasefire, even starting today," Zelensky wrote on Platform X. He reiterated that Ukraine is ready for talks "in any format." "But for that, Russia must demonstrate the seriousness of its intentions to end the war, starting with a full, unconditional ceasefire."
In a post on his online mouthpiece Truth Social, Trump backed Kyiv's call for a 30-day ceasefire. He also threatened sanctions again. "If the ceasefire is not respected, the United States and its partners will impose further sanctions," the Republican wrote, presumably primarily directed at Russia.
Great Britain is also increasing pressure on Putin to end his war of aggression in Ukraine – with a package of sanctions against the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The British government announced overnight that it will sanction up to 100 oil tankers, which form a core part of Putin's shadow fleet and have transported cargo worth more than $24 billion (€21 billion) since the beginning of 2024. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce the measures today at a meeting of the Northern European Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in the Norwegian capital Oslo.
According to media reports, the approximately 10,000 participants in the parade in Moscow will include soldiers from numerous other countries as well as Russian participants in the war against Ukraine. Traditionally, tanks, air defense systems, and missile systems will be on display. An air show featuring Russian fighter jets has also been announced.
In Europe, May 8 is considered the end of World War II. The second signing of the Wehrmacht's surrender document, this time also before representatives from Moscow, lasted until the night of May 9, so this day was celebrated as Victory Day in the Soviet Union and later adopted by most of its successor states.
RND/dpa
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