Putin combative during WWII commemoration: “No one will threaten us”

Today Russia commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany. Putin sounded combative in his speech on Red Square.

“Russia will do everything it can to avoid a global clash. But at the same time, we will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always ready for a fight,” Russian President Putin said during his speech on Red Square. Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia feels obliged to increase its nuclear preparedness due to the West’s “escalation-oriented” course.

Today Russia celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany during WWII. This is annually accompanied by a military parade and a speech by the Russian president. Putin accuses the West of “preferring to forget the lessons of World War II”, while he says he “honors the courage of all soldiers of the coalition against Hitler, the members of the resistance and underground partisans”.

“Today we see how they (the West, ed.) try to distort the truth about the Second World War. It bothers them, who are used to basing their essentially colonial policy on hypocrisy and lies. They demolish memorials to real fighters against Nazism, put traitors and accomplices of the Nazis on a pedestal, delete the memory of the courage and nobility of the soldiers of the liberators, and the great sacrifice they made in the name of life.” , says Putin.

“Difficult transition period”

If he has harsh criticism of the West, Putin sounds different when he mentions China. He praises “the courage of the Chinese people who fought for their independence against the aggression of militaristic Japan,” adding “always remember the common struggle and inspiring traditions” and “never forget Russia’s allies.”

It was expected that Putin would use this moment to make the link between Nazi Germany and the current war in Ukraine. That Ukraine must be ‘denazified’ has been part of Putin’s rhetoric since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Putin does admit that the country is going through a “difficult transition period. The fate of the Motherland and its future depends on each of us,” the Russian president said.