Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May should mark a triumphal double apotheosis for Vladimir Putin. Not only will it be the 25th Victory parade since the beginning of his presidency, but is also the 80th anniversary of the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany, which Putin has appropriated as a fundamental ideological pillar of his regime. Yet instead of marking the absolute high point of Putin’s reign, the traditional military parade on Red Square will be shadowed by jeopardy and haunted by the ghosts of future failure.
The Russians are apoplectic that Zelensky has so far ignored the unilateral three day ceasefire around Victory Day that Putin proposed last week
For one, many of the world leaders Putin had hoped would attend have chosen to stay away. India and Pakistan’s leaders, understandably, will be too busy planning their own imminent war to commemorate a past one. South Africa and Iran, touted as new strategic allies of Moscow, will be represented by lowly officials.
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