Putin warns of global crash at celebration of Russia's WWII Victory Day
At the heart of Russia’s patriotic identity, its role in the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War 2, this has become a pillar of President Vladimir Putin’s reign and celebrated annually at Moscow Red Square. On Victory Day this year, with tensions between Russia and the West soaring over Ukraine, the president was sure to issue a reminder of Russia’s might. Russia will do everything to prevent a global clash, but at the same time. We will not allow anyone to threaten us. Our strategic forces are always on alert. 9000 military personnel took part in the parade, and Putin was joined by presidents from countries such as Cuba, Belarus and Kazakhstan. For the few veterans that remain alive 75 years after Berlin fell, the day is sure to be one of honour and remembrance. Estimates say some 27 million people from the Soviet Union were lost in the war. Nazi troops overran much of the territory before being driven back to Berlin. But if the US, UK and France were among Russia’s allies, then they are now on opposite sides. Putin used his speech to accuse Western elites of being arrogant, of distorting the truth of World War 2 and putting traders of Nazis on pedestals, part of his rhetoric that he has repeatedly used to justify the invasion of Ukraine and frame it as an existential battle against Nazism.