Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9, 2026) said the war in Ukraine was winding down, slamming Western support for Kyiv, as the first day of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was marked by mutual accusations of violations.
Mr. Putin spoke after telling soldiers at the scaled-down parade in Moscow that they were fighting an “aggressive force” in Ukraine, backed by all of NATO and describing his war goals as “just”.
Army is fighting 'aggressive' NATO-backed force: Putin in Victory Day speech
The Russian leader has made the memory of the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II a central narrative of his 25-year rule and repeatedly invoked it to justify his Ukraine offensive.
Russian authorities typically mark the Victory Day parade with pomp and grandeur. But a spate of Ukrainian long-range attacks in recent weeks prompted the Kremlin to ramp up security measures and downsize this year’s celebrations.
