Putin plans Victory Day spectacle to counter isolation narrative
Vladimir Putin has initiated preparations for the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory Day, scheduled for May 9, 2025. The Kremlin intends to demonstrate that Russia is not isolated. Sources close to the presidential administration have disclosed some details.
Vladimir Putin convened a meeting of the committee responsible for organizing the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. He stressed that formalism is unacceptable and that remembrance involves concrete actions. Parades will take place in Moscow and other cities, and participants in the conflict in Ukraine will be honoured.
Defence Minister Andrei Belousov announced that those who participated in the Ukrainian conflict will join the parades. The authorities plan to give them special honours, and their names will be assigned to younger military units.
"A new World War II"
The Kremlin likens the so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine to World War II. A regional official suggests that Putin and his inner circle view this operation as a modern equivalent of the Second World War.
He contends that the authorities see no need to emphasize parallels between the two wars during anniversary events to encourage Russians to enlist. The Kremlin's reasoning frames this as part of a broader continuity, with successive generations carrying on the fight against fascism.
The Kremlin has yet to issue specific instructions regarding the celebrations but recommends traditional events such as the Immortal Regiment and exhibitions. Regional authorities are expected to devise ideas to commemorate the anniversary. The Kremlin plans to invite foreign guests to emphasize that Russia is not isolated. It is considering inviting "someone significant" from the United States.
