Russian President Vladimir Putin uses his annual Victory Day remarks to criticise NATO and reiterate Russia’s justification for its war in Ukraine, as celebrations in Moscow are scaled back. Multiple outlets report that Putin denounces NATO for backing Ukraine, framing this support as part of the broader context of what he calls his “special military operation.” In his speech, he also vows that Russia will achieve victory in Ukraine. The reporting notes the reduced scale of the Victory Day parade compared with previous years. Several sources add that security is tight in Moscow for the event, with Putin attending along with foreign leaders. Overall coverage characterises the speech as a combination of commemoration and political messaging, linking Russia’s wartime history with current tensions in Europe and Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The articles describe NATO criticism as a central theme of Putin’s address, while his remarks on Ukraine focus on strengthening his claim of eventual success.