It is onerous to not view the motivating issue behind Vladimir Putin’s newest unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine as one in all timing.
Beginning right now, the three-day truce coincides with Russia’s lavish celebrations to mark the eightieth anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.
The primary occasion will probably be an enormous army Victory Day parade on Pink Sq. on Friday, the place the Russian president will probably be welcoming greater than two dozen world leaders, together with China’s Xi Jinping.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the ceasefire proposal as theatre, and a cynical ploy by Mr Putin to guard his parade, moderately than human lives.
It is actually true that the Kremlin needs to placed on a superb present – not only for its friends however for the remainder of the world.
The arrival of so many heads of state, together with the leaders of Brazil, Egypt and Vietnam – is a serious PR coup for Moscow, and an opportunity to point out the West that its efforts to isolate Russia have failed.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, left, with Vladimir Putin in Moscow forward of the Victory Day parade. Pic: AP
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Chinese language President Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow forward of Victory Day celebrations. Pic: Reuters
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Brazilian President Lula da Silva arrives in Moscow forward of Victory Day celebrations. Pic: Reuters
Saying the guestlist earlier this week, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov claimed it was “an indicator of Russia’s growing authority in the world”.
With that in thoughts, a Ukrainian assault on the parade can be significantly embarrassing for Mr Putin.
In concept it may occur – Kyiv hasn’t dedicated to the ceasefire, as a substitute calling for a 30-day pause, and has stated it might probably’t assure the security of international dignitaries who’re visiting Russia – however I feel it is extremely unlikely.
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Russian infantry autos throughout preparations for the Victory Day parade. Pic: Reuters
It will threat damaging relations with Donald Trump, whose stance concerning peace talks seems to have shifted not too long ago in Kyiv’s favour.
However Ukraine remains to be doing its finest to disrupt the preparations right here. A number of drone assaults over the previous few days have compelled Moscow’s airports to repeatedly droop operations, simply as international leaders have been flying in.
Serbia’s president Aleksandar Vucic reportedly took 10 hours to succeed in Moscow after his flight needed to stopover in Azerbaijan. Whereas extra drones focused Moscow simply earlier than Mr Xi touched down on Wednesday afternoon.
It is an try by Ukraine to humiliate Mr Putin, and to convey to his friends how a lot it disapproves of their go to, which it regards as a present of help for Russia’s invasion.
