Moscow begins scaled-back Victory Day parade as 3-day Ukraine truce kicks in
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- Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day ceasefire for the occasion, following a last-minute appeal from United States President Donald Trump.
- The parade kicked off shortly after 10am Moscow time (12pm PKT) with a formation of soldiers carrying the Russian flag into the square, state television showed.
In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a three-day ceasefire following a last-minute appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump. This truce coincides with Moscow's annual Victory Day parade, which has been scaled back due to security concerns.
The parade, marking the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, commenced with a formation of soldiers carrying the Russian flag into Red Square. Russia's Defence Minister Andrei Belousov was seen congratulating soldiers, including those from North Korea, highlighting the international participation in the event.
The ceasefire, announced by Trump on Friday, came into effect the following day. Trump expressed optimism on his Truth Social network, suggesting that this truce could be the beginning of the end of the prolonged and deadly conflict.
He also noted that the ceasefire would be accompanied by a prisoner exchange, a move that Ukrainian President Zelensky has prioritized over the symbolic significance of Red Square. Zelensky's remarks underscore the human cost of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of returning Ukrainian prisoners to their homeland.
The scaled-back nature of the parade reflects ongoing security concerns and the fatigue of a war that has persisted for over four years. This development comes after two failed attempts at establishing a truce earlier in the week, highlighting the challenges in achieving lasting peace.
The involvement of international figures like Trump in brokering the ceasefire underscores the global interest in resolving the conflict. As the parade proceeded under heightened security, the focus remains on the potential for this ceasefire to lead to more substantial peace talks.
The prisoner exchange, if successful, could serve as a confidence-building measure between the two nations. The situation remains delicate, with both sides having much at stake. many governments will be closely watching to see if this ceasefire can hold and lead to further diplomatic progress.