Putin avoids escalation, repeats old soundbites during Victory Day speech

May 9 in Russia is a national holiday that marks the anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected to deliver a “doomsday” warning to the West during Monday morning’s Victory Day celebrations on Red Square, his audiences instead heard yet another speech justifying Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

While this year’s parade featured less troops and military hardware than previous years, marching soldiers, tanks and missiles could still be seen rumbling down Red Square’s cobblestone streets.

In the weeks leading up to Putin’s speech, Western leaders openly speculated that the Russian leader could either declare a victory in Ukraine or formally escalate hostilities in order to justify a national mobilization.

On Monday, however, he did neither – instead repeating assertions that Russia is in a battle against Nazis, Reuters reported.

"You are fighting for the Motherland, for its future, so that no one forgets the lessons of World War Two. So that there is no place in the world for executioners, castigators and Nazis," Putin said from the tribune outside the Kremlin walls.

Western military experts – many of whom once believed Russia’s assault would bring down Ukraine in a matter of days – now say that the Kremlin is running out of troops and could require a full declaration of war in order for Putin to activate reservists and send conscripts.

"What rhetoric Putin used in his speech is immaterial. If he didn't declare war, or a general mobilization, that's what (is) important," tweeted Phillips O'Brien, a professor of strategic studies at Britain's University of St Andrews. "Without concrete steps to build a new force, Russia can't fight a long war, and the clock starts ticking on the failure of their army in Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his own speech, promised his countrymen that they would be victorious over the invading forces.

"On the Day of Victory over Nazism, we are fighting for a new victory. The road to it is difficult, but we have no doubt that we will win," he said.

“The one who is repeating the horrific crimes of Hitler's regime today, following Nazi philosophy, copying everything they did - he is doomed,” he added, making a clear reference to Putin.