Por Vladimir Putin, the military ceremony of this Thursday, May 9 was an opportunity to assert, once again, his confidence. During his speech dedicated to the Soviet victory against Hitler, the head of the Kremlin assured that the “forces [nucléaires] strategic” were always “on alert”. He recently ordered tactical nuclear exercises involving troops stationed near Ukraine.
Although the Russian president affirms that his country “will do everything to avoid a global confrontation”, he insists: “At the same time, we will not allow anyone to threaten us. »
READ ALSO “Putin is not in the mental state to negotiate” This Thursday, more than 9,000 soldiers – according to Russian media –, armored vehicles, missile launchers and combat planes took part in the military parade on Red Square. A Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, affirmed that these exercises were part of “efforts” to strengthen Russian nuclear deterrence in the face of the “escalation” carried out by “its Western adversaries”.
Russia is going through a “difficult period”
However, Vladimir Putin recognizes that his country is going through a “difficult period”. “The destiny of the homeland and its future depend on each of us,” he said, while saluting the “heroes” who fight for Moscow on the front.
During this ceremony, the Russian president, very isolated on the international scene, was accompanied by only a few leaders. Among them are the heads of state of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, according to the Kremlin, as well as the presidents of Laos, Cuba and Guinea-Bissau.
Some parades have also been canceled for “security” reasons, particularly in regions bordering Ukraine, regularly affected by strikes.
