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Putin: army fighting 'aggressive' NATO-backed force in Victory Day speech
Putin framed Ukraine as fighting an aggressive force backed by NATO in a subdued Victory Day parade. The week featured a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal and a Ukrainian decree not to attack the parade, with limited foreign attendance and heightened security around Red Square.
Why It Matters
The speech reinforces Russia's portrayal of the conflict as NATO-led aggression while the ceasefire context shows ongoing diplomatic maneuvering around a symbolic date.
Timeline
6 Events
Limited foreign attendance at parade
May 9, 2026
Attendees at the parade were limited to leaders of Belarus, Malaysia and Laos, plus Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico; high-profile visitors such as Xi Jinping did not attend this year.
Parade security tight and reports of fewer drone attacks
May 9, 2026
Security ahead of the parade was tightened after weeks of Ukrainian long-range attacks; Moscow and Kyiv agreed to a three-day ceasefire; reports indicated fewer drone attacks overnight and streets around Red Square appeared quiet.
Victory Day parade held in Moscow with reduced displays
May 9, 2026
Putin delivered a combative Victory Day address describing Ukraine's defenders as confronting an aggressive force backed by the entire NATO bloc and stating that the cause is just. The parade was scaled back with no military hardware on display for the first time in nearly two decades, and soldiers from North Korea participated.
Zelensky hopes U.S. envoys to reboot talks
May 8, 2026
Zelensky expressed hope that U.S. envoys would visit Ukraine in the coming weeks to reboot talks on ending the war.
Zelensky decrees no Ukrainian attack on parade
May 8, 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree ordering Ukrainian forces not to attack the parade and said Kyiv would adhere to the ceasefire to enable the swap of 1,000 detainees from each side.
Trump announces ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine
May 8, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to take effect from May 9, with a prisoner exchange.