The Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed speculation that President Vladimir Putin plans to declare war on Ukraine and declare a national mobilization on May 9, as Russia celebrates the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.
So far, Putin has characterized Russia’s actions in Ukraine as a “special military operation,” not a war.
But Western politicians and some Russian observers speculated that he could be gearing up for a big announcement next Monday with a range of possible scenarios, from an outright declaration of war to a declaration of victory.
Asked about speculation that Putin will declare war on Ukraine on May 9, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “There is no chance of that. It’s an absurd”.
Peskov also said that people should not listen to speculation that there could be a decision on a national mobilization.
May 9 Victory Day is one of Russia’s most important national events – a reminder of the enormous Soviet sacrifice made to defeat Nazi Germany in what is known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.
An estimated 27 million Soviet citizens were killed in the 1941-45 war, which left the Soviet Union devastated and nearly all Soviet families in mourning.
Putin has used previous Victory Day speeches to appeal to the West and showcase the firepower of Russia’s post-Soviet military.
Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine killed thousands, displaced millions more and raised fears of the most serious confrontation between Russia and the United States since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Putin says the “special military operation” in Ukraine is necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia and Moscow had to defend itself against persecution of Russian-speaking people.
He calls the conflict an inevitable confrontation with the United States, which he accuses of threatening Russia by intruding on its backyard and expanding NATO’s military alliance.
Ukraine says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab and that Vladimir Putin’s genocide allegations are absurd.
Source: CNN Brasil
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