Another May 9 where Vladimir Putin puts on a parade. The message: we are in it for the long haul. For the second year running, Moscow's Victory Day commemorations were staged as war rages. The day began with Russian missiles raining down on Ukraine’s capital. We hear from a president who claims a “real war” has been unleashed against his country. Is that how ordinary citizens see it? As sanctions bite and the body count rises, will enthusiasm wax or wane?
Victory Day to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany in Moscow stood in contrast to Europe Day celebrated by the EU Commission President in Kyiv. As the European Parliament fast tracks the joint procurement of ammunition for Ukraine, is the West going fast enough for the much-vaunted spring counter-offensive planned by Volodymyr Zelensky? Are Ukraine’s allies in it for the long haul?
Putin’s calculation is that he can outlast the adversary, just like the Soviets did. After all, 2024 will be an election year in the United States. And if you check the latest polls, who knows what will happen?
Produced by Charles Wente, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
