Vladimir Putin’s somewhat diminished Victory Day Parade went off without a hitch yesterday . . . though the promised ceasefire may not have been a complete success.

Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces had launched a missile and dozens of drones overnight; and Moscow claimed that Kyiv had broken the agreement, though without any reports of incidents affecting the parade. We’ll see if the three-day ceasefire proposed by Putin continues to hold.

In the meantime, Putin had his opportunity to tout the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II — forgetting, as always, to mention the contributions and sacrifices of Western Europe and the United States. And, in what appeared to be another memory lapse, he attempted to tie that defensive war to the current Russian offensive in Ukraine, which he himself started in 2022, offering this paean to Russian valor:

“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today. They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward . . . I firmly believe that our cause is just.” [RFE/RL, May 9, 2026.]

When you’re out of excuses for failure, it seems most convenient just to blame your victim. Delusional . . . but convenient.

Putin also spoke with reporters concerning the Ukraine conflict, unexpectedly saying, “I think that the matter is coming to an end.” Yet he stressed that he would not meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky until a final peace deal has been agreed. [Id.]

He added that, while he believes that the United States is “sincere” in its efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, it is “above all, a matter for Russia and Ukraine.” [Id.]

That statement followed remarks earlier in the day by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said on state television:

“It is understandable that the American side is in a hurry. But the issue of a Ukrainian settlement is far too complex, and reaching a peace agreement is a very long way with complex details.” [Id.]

So much for Donald Trump’s repeated assurances that Putin really, honestly wants peace. Perhaps if he had enlisted serious, experienced negotiators instead of playing into Putin’s hands by sending his son-in-law and that other real estate guy . . .

Or maybe that was the whole point.

At any rate, with no indication on Putin’s part of a willingness to compromise, his refusal to meet directly with Zelensky, and an indication that U.S. intervention is less than helpful, it looks as though Ukraine is facing another long, hot summer of fighting, suffering, and deaths in a conflict that already has lasted longer than the Soviet Union’s involvement in World War II.

What a waste!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/10/26