A military parade was held in the Russian capital Moscow to mark Victory Day, with 10,000 servicemen, including soldiers from other countries, taking part, according to Russian media.
Military equipment also passed through Red Square, and the most special guest of the event this year was Chinese President Xi Jinping. He watched the parade, sitting next to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
In his speech at the parade, Putin did not mention the war in Ukraine by name, but praised the soldiers fighting in the “special military operation“, as Moscow calls its aggression against Ukraine. Putin said that today there are still “aggressive actions“ against Russia, writes focus.de.
80 years after the end of World War II, Putin said that Russia will defend its interests. He congratulated Russians on the holiday, recalled the heroic deeds of their ancestors and declared a minute of silence in memory of the dead.
Putin also noted that Russia highly values the contribution of “soldiers of the Allied armies, resistance fighters, the brave people of China - all who fought for a peaceful future“. “Almost 80 percent of the world's population participated in the fiery orbit of World War II,“ Putin added.
Security measures this year were even tighter than usual due to threats from Ukraine that it would not respect the unilateral ceasefire announced by Putin, DPA noted, BTA reported. Most countries in Europe marked the anniversary yesterday, but Russia traditionally holds its annual parade on May 9.
Hours earlier, US President Donald Trump threatened Moscow and Kiev with sanctions if they do not agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
"Talks with Russia and Ukraine continue. The US is calling, ideally, for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose additional sanctions. Thousands of young soldiers are dying every week and everyone should want this to STOP. I want it, and so does the United States of America. As President, I will remain committed to ensuring peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and it will be a lasting peace! This ceasefire must ultimately lead to a peace agreement. All of this can happen very quickly, and I will be available. Thank you for your attention to this issue!", Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Europe supports US President Donald Trump's plan for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with the European Union and Washington ready to increase pressure on Russia through sanctions if Moscow does not take peace talks seriously, said the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
During his first visit to Brussels since taking office, Merz stressed that the EU and the US would continue to support Ukraine, increasing the amount of funds they provide if necessary, although he said that Germany continues to oppose the common EU debt to finance defense spending.
"We call on Russia to finally embark on the path of real peace talks," he told journalists. "If this does not happen, we will not hesitate, together with our European partners and the United States, to increase pressure through sanctions," the German Chancellor added.