War response to unacceptable threat, fight inevitable: Vladimir Putin

At Victory Day speech, says troops fighting for motherland but makes no major announcement

In a speech marking the 77th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the assault on Ukraine inevitable, claiming without evidence that Kyiv planned to attack eastern areas of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists and invade occupied Crimea. Putin made no major announcements in a speech at Moscow’s annual Red Square military parade, defying speculation he may further escalate his faltering 10-week-old war. 

He said, however, that Russia was under threat by Western countries and NATO, accusing them of preparing an attack on Crimea, which Moscow’s forces annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

“Last year, we suggested to