Putin: Russian soldiers confronting 'aggressive force' armed by entire NATO

Russian soldiers are confronting "an aggressive force" armed and supported by entire NATO, President Vladimir Putin said Saturday. Delivering a speech at a Victory Day parade on Red Square marking the anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II, Putin said the "generation of victors inspires the soldiers who carry out special military operations tasks today." He said Russian scientists and engineers are developing advanced weapons and expanding mass production, "drawing on modern combat experience."

World War II tribute

Speaking about World War II, Putin underlined that the Soviet people made a decisive contribution to the defeat of Nazism, saving their country and the entire world. The parade was attended by several foreign leaders, including Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

Military personnel

Personnel involved in Russia's "special military operation," cadets from higher military educational institutions, and members of various branches of the Russian Armed Forces took part in the parade, as well as servicemen from the North Korean army.

Ceasefire context

Ahead of the commemorations, Russia proposed a two-day ceasefire for Victory Day celebrations. On Friday, US President Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. "Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War," Trump said. Zelenskyy also confirmed the truce and prisoner swap.