Putin speaks at Moscow parade
Russian president Vladimir Putin has simply delivered a slightly temporary (for his requirements) speech on the Victory Day parade in Moscow.
He spoke of “joy and sadness, of pride and gratitude … to the generation that crushed the nazism at the cost of millions of lives.”
He additionally talked that Russia will “never agree” to occasions of the second one global battle “being distorted,” as he vowed to shield the honor of the Russian military and all the time stand to “nazism, to Russophobia, to antisemitism.”
(Remember, Putin justified the invasion of Ukraine as struggle towards “neo-nazism.”)
And, certainly, he claimed that “the whole” of nation subsidized the continuing invasion on Ukraine.
“We are proud of their bravery and determination, of the fortitude that has always brought us only victory,” he stated.
In a nod to Xi Jinping within the stands, Putin additionally made a pointed reference not to most effective Russian army successes and the contribution of the allied forces, but in addition “the courageous people of China” particularly.
Key occasions
Morning opening: Alternative futures of Europe

Jakub Krupa
An afternoon after Victory in Europe Day celebrations in maximum of Europe, Russia phases a lavish – “biggest ever” – parade in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the tip of the second one global battle, and blow their own horns its army would possibly amid its proceeding invasion on Ukraine.
Russian president Vladimir Putin hosts various international leaders, together with China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Despite repeated grievance from Brussels, Slovak top minister Robert Fico may be there, the one EU chief in attendance.
In stark distinction, the Moscow parade takes position at the identical day as many European overseas ministers make a symbolic seek advice from to Ukraine as a substitute to announce every other spherical of strengthen for the rustic and the introduction of a brand new International Tribunal for the Punishment of War Crimes and the Crime of Aggression towards Ukraine.
Elsewhere, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Poland’s Donald Tusk are set to signal a brand new treaty on “enhanced cooperation and friendship” – anticipated to incorporate safety and defence parts – and German’s new chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Brussels for talks with the EU and Nato, after being in Paris and Warsaw previous this week.
The two units of occasions – enticing two other blocks of nations – be offering very contrasting visions of attainable long term for Europe and are available on the time of specifically anxious second within the Russian battle of aggression on Ukraine, with extra nations, specifically at the japanese flank of Nato, fearing an identical assaults within the coming years.
We will deliver you all of the key updates during the day.
It’s Friday, 9 May 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Live.
Good morning.