In brief
In a striking display of military power, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin presided over a grand parade on Victory Day, aiming to project his influence on the global stage despite ongoing challenges in Ukraine.
May 9, 2025, 3:02 a.m. ET — President Vladimir V. Putin marked the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany with a significant military parade in Moscow that included the attendance of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This event illustrated Putin's ambition to position himself as a pivotal figure in a coalition of countries opposing Western dominance, sharing the platform with leaders such as Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, among others. Despite this outward show of international camaraderie, the celebration belied Russia's lack of military victories in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has seen only modest progress over the last three years. The Russian economy is also feeling the strain, with declining oil prices and persistently high interest rates pointed out as significant weaknesses. Historically, this annual commemorative event has unified various factions within Russia. However, it now reflects the nation's stark divisions, as Putin seeks to leverage Soviet triumphs to justify his controversial invasion of Ukraine, a strategy that faces increasing scrutiny and challenges as the war continues to unfold. As Ivan Nechepurenko reports from Moscow, the discrepancies between the ostensible strength displayed at the parade and the realities on the ground in Ukraine serve as a reminder of the complexities and struggles facing the Kremlin today.
