Putin denounces Nato at scaled back Victory Day parade
President Vladimir Putin used Russia's annual Victory Day parade to denounce NATO and frame the invasion of Ukraine as a necessary and just conflict against an aggressive force
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow’s Red Square, using the high-profile occasion to justify the ongoing "special military operation" in Ukraine. Speaking before hundreds of military personnel, Putin framed the conflict as a necessary defense of the nation and a direct response to what he described as Western aggression and encroachment.[1][2]
During the address, Putin denounced NATO and accused the alliance of creating existential threats on Russia's borders. He characterized the war in Ukraine as a "just" struggle and labeled the Ukrainian government an "aggressive force" that necessitated military action. The president's rhetoric aimed to consolidate domestic support by linking the current invasion to the historical victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.[1][2]
The event was described as a scaled-back version of the traditional military parade, featuring fewer pieces of equipment than in previous years. While Putin was flanked by a few world leaders, the overall scale of the display was reduced. Despite the smaller scope, the Russian leader maintained a defiant tone, asserting that the country was fighting for its sovereignty and future against intense international pressure.[1][2]
