Topline
Russian President Vladimir Putin in his Victory Day speech on Monday attempted to draw parallels between the Russian ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany but did not make any declarations of victory or announcements about mass mobilization for the war contrary to some Western predictions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during the Victory Day military parade at Red Square … [+]
Key Facts
Speaking at the annual event marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the second world war, Putin said Russian soldiers in Ukraine are: “fighting for the same thing their fathers and grandfathers did.”
The Russian President reiterated his rhetoric painting Ukrainians as Nazis, claiming that the invasion of Ukraine was “inevitable” and that he was “forced” into this conflict by NATO.
Putin pledged support for the families of the Russian soldiers who have been killed in the conflict and even called for a minute of silence for them during his speech.
Putin, however, did not declare any form of victory for Russian either in the Donbas region or the key captured city of Mariupol—as some had predicted—a likely indication that he was preparing for a long conflict.
The Russian President’s speech also did not mention wider mobilization of Russian forces or a formal declaration of war against Ukraine—as some other observers had predicted—which would allow him to send Russia’s reserve troops to the battlefield.
The Victory Day military parade followed the speech and featured several soldiers, tanks and other armored vehicles but a planned flyover of military jets did not take place purportedly due to bad weather.
Crucial Quote
In his speech Putin said: “The Donbas militia and the Russian army are fighting on their own land, which the heroes of the Great Patriotic War (World War 2) defended to the death,” and also claimed without evidence that Ukraine had been preparing to “invade our historical lands,” including Crimea—the Ukrainian peninsula which Russian forces annexed in 2014.
Chief Critic
In a video message on Victory Day published on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin a “madman” and accused him of :“repeating the horrific crimes of Hitler’s regime today, following Nazi philosophy, copying everything they did.” The Ukrainian leader then defiantly noted: “very soon there will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. And someone will not have even one left.”
Further Reading
Putin defends his Ukraine invasion, invoking World War II, but does not signal an escalation (New York Times)
Putin channels victory over Hitler to spur Russian army in Ukraine (Reuters)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/05/09/putin-compares-invasion-of-ukraine-with-fight-against-nazi-germany-in-victory-day-speech/