Europe once again has to think about the price to be paid for peace on the continent, as it did in the Second World War, and European nations must also consider the price Russia has to pay “for bringing the evil of total war to Europe again”, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
History will hold Russia responsible, vowed the Ukrainian president, in a nightly address to his compatriots.
On Monday, Russia held its annual Victory Day parade in Moscow which celebrates the former Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
In his speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin channelled memory of the conflict to justify his military invasion of Ukraine, which is now in its third month.
“And we, Ukrainians, will continue to work towards our defence, our victory and on restoring justice. Today, tomorrow and any other day that is necessary to free Ukraine from the occupiers,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
The president ended his address by thanking all those defending the country and promising that the Ukrainian flag will one day once again fly over all of its cities.
“The Ukrainian flag will return. Because this is our country. A free European country,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
He also mentioned developments in Ukraine’s bid to become part of the European Union in a post on Instagram.
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Thousands of Russian soldiers march during the Victory Day parade in Red Square in central Moscow, which marks the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Reuters -
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in central Moscow. Reuters -
A T-34 Soviet-era tank powers along in Red Square. Reuters -
Russian armoured vehicles, including MSTA-S self-propelled howitzers, drive through Red Square. Reuters -
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with spectators before the parade in Moscow. Reuters -
A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher parades through Red Square. AFP -
Russian T-72B3M tanks parade through Red Square. AFP -
Russian servicemen march in Red Square. AFP -
Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu salutes soldiers as he is driven along Red Square in central Moscow. AFP -
A security service officer aims his sniper rifle while securing the area in Moscow. AP Photo -
Vladimir Putin arrives to watch the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow. AFP -
Veterans and guests watch the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow. AFP -
Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during the parade in central Moscow. AFP -
People carry portraits of their relatives who were Second World War soldiers as they take part in the Immortal Regiment march in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. AFP -
Russian servicemen shout during the Victory Day military parade in Red Square. AFP -
Military veterans watch the Victory Day parade in Red Square in Moscow. AFP -
A boy wearing a Red Army-styled uniform watches a military parade in Vladivostok. Reuters
“Today, we have taken another step — a very important and not just a formal step — on our path to the European Union,” he said.
“Ukraine has submitted the second part of the answers to a special questionnaire to be completed by each country aspiring to be part of the European Union.
“It usually takes months. But we did everything in a few weeks.”
Mr Putin on Monday blamed the West and Ukraine for the current conflict, telling the parade that Russia faced an “absolutely unacceptable threat” and warning against the “horror of a global war”.
“You are fighting for the Motherland, for its future, so that no one forgets the lessons of the Second World War,” he said.
The celebration in Red Square also featured some 11,000 troops and more than 130 military vehicles, although a planned military fly-past was cancelled.
