Mon 02 May 2022:
The upcoming Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, would have no impact on the speed of Moscow’s operations in Ukraine.
In an interview with the Italian news outlet Mediaset on Sunday, Lavrov insisted that Moscow would not rush to finish its so-called “special military operation” in time for the anniversary, which commemorates Nazi Germany’s surrender to allied forces – including the Soviet Union at the time – in 1945.
“Our military will not artificially adjust their actions to any date, including Victory Day,” Lavrov said.
“The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, first of all, on the need to minimise any risks for the civilian population and Russian military personnel,” he added.
Russia typically marks Victory Day with a large military parade in central Moscow and a speech by President Vladimir Putin hailing the country’s leading role in the defeat of fascism in Europe.
But this year’s celebrations will come against the backdrop of Moscow’s bloody military campaign in Ukraine, which Putin has justified with claims the ex-Soviet country requires “denazification” and other allusions to World War II.
“We will solemnly celebrate May 9, as we always do. Remember those who fell for the liberation of Russia and other republics of the former USSR, for the liberation of Europe from the Nazi plague,” Lavrov said.
He went on to say that Russia is dedicated to striving to avoid a nuclear conflict from starting.
Russia’s invasion, which began on February 24, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and the displacement of millions.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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