Today, 6 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna said that by violating the ceasefire proposed by Ukraine, Russia has demonstrated that it is not interested in real peace and that its own proposed ceasefire was intended solely to enable the 9 May parade. At the same time, preparations for the parade reveal Russia’s deepening weakness and growing fear of Ukraine.
According to Tsahkna, Ukraine had proposed a lasting ceasefire that was to come into effect last night, but Russia rejected it and attacked Ukraine with more than a hundred drones and missiles.
“By continuing its attacks overnight, Russia has confirmed that it is not interested in genuine peace and that its own proposal for a ceasefire on 8 and 9 May was, as expected, not intended to initiate negotiations or achieve a lasting peace, but merely to allow it to hold its annual propaganda parade on the Red Square,” Tsahkna said.
The foreign minister noted that in a situation where Russia shows no willingness for peace, the international community must continue supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia to force it to end the war.
“Russia has always sought to portray itself as a strong military power, and the Victory Day parade in Moscow has been central to reinforcing that image. The fact that, for the first time in decades, this year’s parade is planned on a smaller scale, without military hardware and under exceptionally tight security, demonstrates how weak Putin’s regime is and how great a threat it perceives from Ukraine,” Tsahkna said. “Even in 1941, when German forces were already on the outskirts of Moscow, a grand parade was held in the capital to mark the anniversary of the October Revolution.”
According to the foreign minister, Russia planned a three-day special operation, yet four years on there is no victory in sight, no success on the battlefield, and Ukrainian drones are reaching ever deeper into Russian territory, including areas close to the Kremlin. “The weakness of the Russian regime is plain for all to see,” Tsahkna said.
He added that in these circumstances, pressure on Russia must be further intensified. “The European Union must move forward with the adoption of the 21st sanctions package, Russia’s isolation on the international stage must continue, and steps must be taken to ensure Russia is held accountable,” Tsahkna said.
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