Russia's Victory Day Celebration 

On Thursday, Russia commemorated the end of World War II with a traditional ceremony that displayed President Vladimir V. Putin's efforts to maintain normalcy. During the event, President Putin, in a bid to project normalcy and resilience in the face of a distant war, chose to focus more on the sacrifices of Soviet citizens in World War II rather than engaging in bashing modern adversaries.

Unlike last year's Victory Day celebration, where Mr. Putin openly referred to the country's engagement in a "real war" for survival, this year's address saw a reduction in overt references to present-day conflicts. Notably, the President used his initial euphemism for the invasion of Ukraine, terming it a "special military operation."

While dedicating more time to traditional remarks about the sacrifices made during World War II, Putin did not completely steer clear of geopolitical issues. He revived familiar criticisms against the West, accusing them of "hypocrisy and lies" and alleging attempts to undermine Russia. However, these accusations took a backseat to honoring the historical significance of the day.