May 9, celebrated as Victory Day, is one of the most significant and heartfelt holidays in Russia, symbolizing resilience, unity, and remembrance. This day honors the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. It is a time when the nation collectively reflects on its history, pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives, and celebrates the enduring spirit of its people.
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have noticed the same EU/Ukraine chatter that we drew attention to a few days ago, and Moscow has stopped public attendance from tomorrow’s Victory Day celebration in Red Square. The Russian govt told people to stay away from Moscow central and watch the event on livestream. Other precautions have been similarly announced.
Emboldened by European allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began yesterday by ridiculing a ceasefire offer by Russian intermediaries.
As Ukraine was a former part of the United Soviet Socialist Republic (until 1991), Putin views both Ukraine and Russia as celebrating the same Victory Day remembrance; a united victory over Nazism. Zelenskyy, born in 1978, rejects that commonality. However, after President Trump stepped into the discussion, a 3-day ceasefire was brokered.
[Via Truth Social] – “I am pleased to announce that there will be a THREE DAY CEASEFIRE (May 9th, 10th, and 11th) in the War between Russia and Ukraine. The Celebration in Russia is for Victory Day but, likewise, in Ukraine, because they were also a big part and factor of World War II. This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country. This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Due to the psychology of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in combination with his co-dependent enablers in Europe and the U.K., I would caution everyone to review Ukraine’s participation in the ceasefire tenuously. Zelenskyy, leading a non-NATO member state, gains NATO’s protection because France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. see Russia as a major threat to Europe.
If the conflict stops, Zelenskyy has to start paying for his own nation’s government operations again. Currently all of his state and municipal govt expenses are subsidized by Europe and the USA. If fighting stops there will be a movement to stop giving Ukraine subsidies.
Zelenskyy’s government officials have become very wealthy from the money they are able to skim from U.S, U.K and EU support. The taxpayer laundry operation is very lucrative, and Ukraine is well known for its institutional corruption systems. If fighting stops, the money supply shrinks. For Zelenskyy this is a big problem.
Former USSR map showing each of the nations that gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet system.
About that prisoner swap. I can imagine Russian prisoners would be happy to go home but I’m betting the Ukrainians would rather not go back only to be sent straight to the meat grinder to be killed or captured again.
Damn good point!
The armistice ending the Korean war took two years to negotiate. One reason it took so long were the large number (at least 60%) of North Korean and Chinese prisoners who didn’t want to be sent back to their “home” countries. Prisoners rioted in their prison camps trying not to get sent back.
I wonder why Z would ridicule the celebration of a victory over Nazism.
His army and administration are full of Ukrainian Nazis. Plus Ukraine collaborated with Nazi Germany during WW II.
Well, If Zelenskyy has nothing to do for 3 days, PLEEZE keep him away from all and any piano!
Please Betsy, no pics!
No pics?
No worries 😎
Knew you were nearby!
…. 😁
Always, my friend.
You can’t negotiate the end of any war if one side really doesn’t want to end things.
How Hitlerian of President Trump to broker a ceasefire. Will these bloodthirsty Nazis never cease their warmongering ways??
<hands Mark Hamill a hanky autographed by Robert De Niro…>
J
Remember when Sundance said to watch Moldova?
https://www.politico.eu/article/kaja-kallas-proposes-doubling-eu-defense-funding-moldova/
Still watching. Something pernicious is still brewing over there.
When the kids ask about Russia, I tell them that Russia is one of only a few civilizations that has built a commercial air fleet and space program.
I also tell them that while Russia isn’t as free as America, it is proud, Christian, and not self-destructive.
They are to be respected.
“If fighting stops, the money supply shrinks. For Zelenskyy this is a big problem.”
That will be a big problem for all his minions, those who have been living off that money, and for at least the senior ones, skimming it too. For Z however, his biggest problem may be managing to live long enough to skip to wherever his money is stashed and accessible. The people are going to want elections and will start looking at internal problems, causes, solutions, and so on. He will quickly become very expendable and unwelcome and someone might just look at it that way literally.
Zelenskyy keeps out doing himself on the WTF scale. Just when I think, “That time he went to far,” he goes even further.
The Europeans see Russia as a threat against their intentional suicide of Christendom.
They hate all Christians who look like me.
Word