Russia not aiming for May 9 date to end war, Lavrov says

In one sentence, Sergei Lavrov dashed the hopes of those who predict the end of the conflict in Ukraine within a week. Russia is not seeking to end the war on May 9, celebrated as Victory Day, its foreign minister has indeed said.

“Our military will not artificially adjust their actions on any date, including Victory Day,” Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Italian TV. Mediaset broadcast on Sunday, in reference to this date commemorating May 9, 1945 and the surrender of the Nazis to the Allies, including the Soviet Union. “The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, above all, on the need to minimize possible risks for the civilian population and the Russian military,” he added.

Putin’s allusions to World War II

Russia usually celebrates Victory Day with great fanfare, with a large military parade through central Moscow and a speech by President Vladimir Putin hailing the country’s leading role in defeating fascism in Europe.

But this year’s celebrations will be set against the backdrop of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine, which the Kremlin ruler has justified by saying, among other things, that the former Soviet republic should be “denazified” and making other allusions to the Second World War.

“We will solemnly celebrate May 9, as we always do. Let us remember those who fell for the liberation of Russia and other republics of the former USSR, for the liberation of Europe from the Nazi scourge,” Sergei Lavrov said.

Thousands of civilians have been killed in Ukraine and millions displaced by the Russian invasion, which began on February 24. Moscow has announced an official death toll of a thousand soldiers. Ukraine, on the other hand, claims that Russia’s losses are much higher.