What Putin did not say at the parade
The most striking point is that Putin did not declare victory in his speech
Russia Presidents Vladimir PutinWhat he did not say in his speech at the May 9 Victory Day parade was more interesting than what he did not say. RFE / RL correspondent Mike Ekel writes about issues that Putin did not address.
He went to war in Ukraine according to did not declare victory in the general mobilization or in the war that had already passed 76 days. Putin He did not threaten Russia’s nuclear arsenal. In recent weeks itself and other officials have repeatedly made similar statements.
12-minute speech
Touching on the Nazis Putin He did not speak of “denasification.” The Kremlin explains this by a goal in the occupation of Ukraine.
As in previous years, Putin commemorated the millions of Soviet citizens who died in the war with Nazi Germany. Again, as in previous years, he sharply criticized the United States.
The Kremlin is currently waging the largest war in Europe since World War II. Many observers believe Putin Russia They were waiting to hear what he had to say about the war, which was not going well for him.
The 12-minute speech did not clarify this concern.
The situation satisfies Putin
“It simply came to our notice then that, He knows that this war will take a long time, but he is trying to somehow end it, as he did after the annexation of Crimea, to get a territorial buffer in the south of Ukraine. “ – At the London School of Economics Russia Cold War expert and professor Vladislav Zubok he said.
Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. With the occupation that began on February 24 this year, Russia has seized control of some areas in southern Ukraine.
“This is another possible option,” he said that, Western sanctions have set an iron curtain around Russia and Putin has also secured his regime, which will satisfy him for years. He is approaching 70 years of age, “he said. – Zubok wrote in an email to the radio.
Losses
To Nazi Germany snow27 million Soviet citizens were killed in the war. Putin said no family in Russia was immune from the effects of the war. But Russia’s losses in the war in Ukraine are hidden from the public. The last time 1,351 servicemen were killed was in March. Ukraine and Western officials say at least 15,000 Russian servicemen have been killed.
Unable to seize major cities in northern Ukraine, Russia has directed its forces to the east of the country. However, no significant progress has been made in the Donbas region.
The port city of Mariupol, which is of strategic importance to Russia, has not completely surrendered. Although that, Putin announced victory on April 21. He did not mention Mariupol or any territory occupied by Russia.
“Even partial mobilization…”
Many Western military experts say Russian troops have suffered heavy casualties that, the problem can be solved by involving more soldiers. To do this, either reservists must be drafted into the army, or relatively young, inexperienced conscripts must be sent to battle. In the worst case, a mass mobilization must be announced. This did not happen, perhaps to him according to that, It would mean declaring war on Ukraine. After all, the Kremlin has so far called the occupation a “special military operation.”
Even a partial mobilization would mean greater responsibility than a “special operation.” This empty speech shows the great bankruptcy of the leadership, which is especially evident in comparison with Zelensky’s beautiful performance. “ – Political scientist from the Oslo Institute for Peace Studies Pavel Bayev he says.
Ukraine Presidents Volodimir Zelenski every day social He makes speeches in the media and periodically receives Western officials in Kiev. He has won the sympathy of world leaders and even critics during the war.
To declare war or mobilization…