Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the justification of the Ukraine war during his speech commemorating the 81st anniversary of Victory Day, stating that any direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would only be possible in Moscow.
On May 9, during a press conference marking the victory in World War II, Putin expressed his willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Zelensky but insisted that the meeting must take place in the Russian capital. He stated, "Anyone who wants to meet me must come to Moscow." While he clarified that this was not a direct invitation to Zelensky, he expressed his readiness to meet, adding, "We can meet somewhere other than Moscow, but only if a long-term peace agreement is reached beforehand."
Putin dismissed reports regarding a message from Zelensky conveyed by Slovak Prime Minister Roberto Fico, stating, "There was no personal message." He acknowledged that Fico had communicated Zelensky's willingness to meet but noted, "This is not the first time we have heard such statements."
In his Victory Day speech, Putin reiterated the legitimacy of the Ukraine war, claiming, "We are facing aggressive forces supported by NATO," and asserted, "Our heroes are advancing and winning on the front lines and in the rear." He emphasized, "I firmly believe our cause is just."
Putin also addressed the contentious issue of uranium enrichment in the context of ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, stating that Russia could play a mediating role. He explained that, if necessary, Russia could accept and store Iran's enriched uranium as part of a ceasefire agreement. He claimed that all parties involved, including Iran, the U.S., and Israel, had initially agreed on uranium removal, but the U.S. later changed its position, prompting Iran to adopt a tougher stance. He noted that Russia had previously received enriched uranium from Iran in 2015 and was prepared to repeat that experience.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had received an offer of assistance from Russia regarding Iran's enriched uranium but declined it, suggesting that the focus should remain on ending the war in Ukraine.
North Korean Troops Participate in Victory Day Parade
As Putin used Victory Day to underscore the justification for the Ukraine war, the participation of North Korean troops in the parade drew attention.
According to TASS, North Korean military units marched in the military parade held in Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the victory in World War II. Victory Day is one of Russia's major national holidays, celebrating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, with large military parades taking place annually on May 9.
This marked the first time North Korean troops participated in the Russian Victory Day parade. Video footage shared by TASS on social media showed North Korean soldiers in uniforms marching in formation while carrying rifles.
Reuters and the Associated Press reported that the North Korean troops marching in Red Square were part of units that had fought alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. Analysts suggested that their participation symbolized respect for North Korea's support of Russia in the Ukraine war.
Kursk is a southwestern region of Russia bordering Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces occupied parts of the area in August 2024. North Korea is believed to have contributed to Russia's efforts to reclaim Kursk. Russia officially declared the recovery of Kursk territory on April 26 of last year.
Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the Russian State Duma's International Affairs Committee, told TASS, "The participation of North Korean troops in the parade signifies the strategic partnership and alliance between our two countries." He added, "North Korean soldiers fought bravely and selflessly alongside our troops to liberate the Kursk region, which exemplifies true camaraderie."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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