Addressing the parade, Putin claimed that Russia was fighting a just war against Ukraine.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow's Red Square. Russia holds a Victory Parade every year on May 9 to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Addressing the parade, Putin claimed that Russia was fighting a just war against Ukraine. He claimed that it was difficult to fight Russia even though Ukraine was receiving weapons and support from the entire NATO bloc.
A three-day ceasefire was agreed with Ukraine on Friday on the eve of the Victory Parade. The ceasefire, which took effect on Saturday, was to last until Monday. But after the parade, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire. Ukraine has not yet responded to this.
Saturday was the first such Victory Parade in years for Moscow. There were no armored vehicles or ballistic missiles on display. Despite this, a large number of soldiers marched in Red Square.
Addressing the crowd, Putin remembered the Soviet soldiers who died in World War II. He said that the soldiers who won the world war inspire the current generation.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, he said, "Our soldiers are facing an aggressive force that receives weapons and support from the entire NATO bloc. Our heroes are moving forward," he said.
The parade was attended by guests including Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Of the European Union member states, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was the only one to attend.
