Russia’s battle in Ukraine, Might ninth Victory Day celebration

Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the “Immortal Regiment” procession on Pink Sq. in Moscow, holding a portrait of his father, a front-line soldier, the Kremlin mentioned in a press release on Monday. 

On Might 9, as a part of the “Immortal Regiment” marketing campaign, individuals march in cities of Russia and overseas with portraits of relations who participated within the Nice Patriotic Conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned Monday the variations in how Russia and the European Union have chosen to mark the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat reveals they’re “very completely different tasks.”

“We have now proven two very completely different faces of Might ninth,” Macron mentioned at a information convention on the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Monday.

“On one aspect, there was a will to make a present of drive, to intimidate and bellicose rhetoric. And right here, there was a broad and civic gathering of residents, of nationwide and European representatives, to consider our future,” he continued.

Requested by a journalist if Putin’s acknowledged need to keep away from confrontation was hypocritical, Macron replied that: “President Putin has taken a bellicose stance; we’re clearly on the aspect of Ukraine,” however warned that there can be “a peace to construct tomorrow” and that “it won’t be achieved by excluding each other or by humiliation.”

Earlier, President Macron delivered a speech to the European Parliament, by which he mentioned that “Ukraine, by its combat and its braveness, is already at present a heartfelt member of our Europe, of our household, of our union,” whereas warning that any formal Ukrainian accession to the EU may take many years.

Extra on Russia’s Victory Day: World leaders and protection officers had spent weeks speculating about what Putin may reveal about his Ukraine plans in a speech at Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. The chief offered few clues on the route of the battle.

The Russian president used his speech to mix historical past with the current, banking on Russian nationalism on its most patriotic of holidays to justify his battle.

CNN’s Angela Dewan contributed reporting to this put up.