His speech on the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany had been eagerly awaited. But Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin refrained from the feared big bang: he announced neither a general mobilization nor the start of a new offensive in Ukraine. Instead, he merely accused the West of planning an invasion of Russia. And once again he warned of the danger of a new world war.
Surrounded by war veterans, the Russian President used the large stage in front of the Kremlin wall to justify his invasion of Ukraine: NATO has built up threats on Russia’s borders, preparations for an operation in the Donbass and an “invasion of our historic territory including Crimea ” were in progress, he said. Moscow has repeatedly tried to reach an agreement for an international security solution. However, NATO ignored Russia’s arguments and began to militarily open up Ukrainian territory. Russia’s special military operation was therefore a necessary and timely measure – the only right decision. And: The Russian invasion of Ukraine will be successful. There is “no doubt about that,” emphasized the Kremlin chief.
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Missiles disrupt EU visit
The President promised help to the relatives of injured and killed soldiers: “The death of every soldier means suffering and irretrievable loss for relatives and loved ones,” said the Kremlin chief thoughtfully. Ukraine is now talking of 25,000 Russian dead, and the British government put the figure of 15,000 soldiers dead in April.
A parade of 500 POWs, which was rumored to have been considered, never happened. The pompous air show, which is usually a highlight of the military parades, was also canceled due to the weather. Soldiers involved in the so-called “military special operation” were also represented at the parade, which included tanks and multiple rocket launchers rolling across Red Square. Tens of thousands of Russians watched the parade.
Meanwhile, Russia continued its attacks in Ukraine with full force: A visit by EU Council President Charles Michel to the Ukrainian port city of Odessa had to be temporarily interrupted because of a rocket attack. At a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, participants had to take shelter in a bunker after rockets fell in the Odessa region.
No rapid EU accession
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the other hand, announced that he would organize a victory parade as soon as Russia was defeated as an enemy. But Zelenskyy will probably have to wait a long time for his dream of membership in the European Union: Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron once again dampened all hopes of Ukraine’s rapid EU accession. The process could take “decades,” Macron said.
The EU’s planned oil embargo against Russia is also becoming increasingly difficult: after Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Bulgaria is now also demanding an exception.
Source: Nachrichten
