Putin delivers a speech on the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism in the presence of leaders from 20 countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is delivering a speech today, Friday, May 9, in front of the Russian forces and leaders of around 20 countries in the Red Square in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, in a celebration coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Putin has ordered his forces to observe a ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10 to mark this occasion, which includes a massive military parade in front of the Kremlin walls. However, Ukraine has accused Russia of violating the ceasefire with several attacks along the front line, while the Russian side has affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire and only responding to "Ukrainian violations."

International Calls for Ceasefire

On Thursday, May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump called on both countries to have an "unconditional ceasefire" for 30 days, as the situation continues to escalate.

Wide International Participation Despite Western Isolation

Leaders from around 20 countries are participating in the celebrations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as well as traditional allies of Russia like Kazakhstan, Belarus, Vietnam, and Cuba.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is also attending, defying pressure from the European Union, alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who is wanted by Bosnian justice.

Tight Security Measures and Ukrainian Warnings

The Kremlin has implemented exceptional security measures, including restricting internet services, to counter any potential drone attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the Russian military parade as a "display of lies."

Unprecedented Celebrations and Historical Commemoration

Russian authorities have described this year's celebrations as the largest in history, as May 9 is a pivotal date in Russian and former Soviet narrative. Moscow streets are adorned with flags and posters urging to "commemorate" the 1945 victory and be proud of it.

Utilizing the Anniversary in Political Discourse

In recent years, Putin has used the victory over Nazism anniversary to justify his actions in Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia's goal is to "eradicate Nazism" from this neighboring country, where its forces occupy about 20% of its territory.

Military Displays and International Participation

Soldiers from 13 countries are participating in the military parade on the Red Square, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Myanmar forces. The Russian and Chinese presidents reiterated their unity in facing what they described as "domineering West" during their meeting in Moscow on Thursday.

Accusations Against China and Fears of Attacks

In a related context, Kyiv accuses China of assisting Russia in circumventing Western sanctions and supplying it with weapons, which Beijing denies. Several Russian regions, including Krasnodar, have canceled their military displays for this year due to fears of Ukrainian attacks.

It is worth mentioning that the May 9 celebrations attract large crowds to Moscow annually, amidst a nationalistic atmosphere and