08:49
9.5.2014
Here's some more on the Moscow Parade from our news desk:
Speaking at massive Victory Day ceremonies in Moscow's Red Square, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strong will and resilience of the Russian people saved Europe from slavery.
Putin said the holiday, which this year marks the 69th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, is Russia's greatest. He called it a source of patriotism, sorrow, and pride for the Russian people.
The country's military is on full display during the ceremonies. Some 11,000 troops are taking part in the parade on Red Square, along with around 150 units of military hardware, plus tanks and some 69 planes and helicopters.
This year's celebration comes with patriotism on the rise in Russia, fueled by the country's annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
Russian media earlier reported that Putin may attend Victory Day ceremonies in Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.
Putin said the holiday, which this year marks the 69th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, is Russia's greatest. He called it a source of patriotism, sorrow, and pride for the Russian people.
The country's military is on full display during the ceremonies. Some 11,000 troops are taking part in the parade on Red Square, along with around 150 units of military hardware, plus tanks and some 69 planes and helicopters.
This year's celebration comes with patriotism on the rise in Russia, fueled by the country's annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
Russian media earlier reported that Putin may attend Victory Day ceremonies in Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.
08:51
9.5.2014
A beautiful holiday morning in Kyiv pic.twitter.com/SIozwIMFgo
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) May 9, 2014
08:53
9.5.2014
Here's a little bit of news from our Washington desk regarding a congressional team of observers who will be monitoring Ukraine's upcoming presidential election, scheduled for May 25:
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat-Maryland) and Representative Chris Smith (Republican-New Jersey) will lead a congressional delegation of election observers for Ukraine's May 25 elections, the Representative said Thursday.
The Republican made the announcement during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing entitled "Russia's destabilization of Ukraine."
Smith added that more members could join, though other names were not immediately announced.
Ukraine is holding presidential elections on May 25 amid widespread violence in the country's east as pro-Russian activists demand greater autonomy and even independence from the central government in Kyiv.
Pro-Russian separatists in two cities in Eastern Ukraine have declared that they will go ahead with referendums on May 11 to secede despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone it.
The Republican made the announcement during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing entitled "Russia's destabilization of Ukraine."
Smith added that more members could join, though other names were not immediately announced.
Ukraine is holding presidential elections on May 25 amid widespread violence in the country's east as pro-Russian activists demand greater autonomy and even independence from the central government in Kyiv.
Pro-Russian separatists in two cities in Eastern Ukraine have declared that they will go ahead with referendums on May 11 to secede despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone it.
08:55
9.5.2014
For the first time since USSR collapse - flags of #Crimea and #Sevastopol on armoured vehicles - crowd claps pic.twitter.com/HjKejmhdJ0
— Ivan Nechepurenko (@INechepurenko) May 9, 2014
09:04
9.5.2014
Meanwhile, influential New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman has been talking to has been talking to Serhiy Leshchenko from Ukrayinska Pravda:
You can read the full interview here.
Ukraine has been doing a lot of things right. But your country needs to create an inclusive and legitimate political system that is able to implement Maidan’s expectations through the real political parties, government bodies, and the political process.
Several days ago I wrote in my New York Times column that Putin is much more afraid of you than us. Do you realize what in fact is going on? If Ukraine manages to translate Maidan ideas into life, and elect worthy leaders able to bring the spirit of Maidan into the politics, into the relations with the EU, and if both the East and the West are going to have good prospects, all that becomes a clear and present danger to Putin.
This is what he fears more than our planes, tanks, or even sanctions. The hardest part for him is that there are merely people next door who speak the same language and who have been associated with Russia for a long time, and now these very people choose their destiny themselves.
Several days ago I wrote in my New York Times column that Putin is much more afraid of you than us. Do you realize what in fact is going on? If Ukraine manages to translate Maidan ideas into life, and elect worthy leaders able to bring the spirit of Maidan into the politics, into the relations with the EU, and if both the East and the West are going to have good prospects, all that becomes a clear and present danger to Putin.
This is what he fears more than our planes, tanks, or even sanctions. The hardest part for him is that there are merely people next door who speak the same language and who have been associated with Russia for a long time, and now these very people choose their destiny themselves.
You can read the full interview here.
09:10
9.5.2014
Fears of "provocations" on a nervous Victory Day in eastern Ukraine - my report from Kharkiv: http://t.co/EwQxlv8BB2
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) May 9, 2014
09:11
9.5.2014
Ukraine national anthem plays, then crowd observes minute silence as bell tolls #Victory Day #Donetsk pic.twitter.com/Yp4W7asrN3
— Simon Denyer (@simondenyer) May 9, 2014
09:32
9.5.2014
The one flag nowhere to be seen in #Donetsk is #ukraine flag, though Ukrainian national anthem heard with respect pic.twitter.com/Y7mDRITWTf
— James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) May 9, 2014
10:20
9.5.2014
10:24
9.5.2014
Russian-born Party of Regions member Vadim Novinsky plays it safe, dons both St. George and Ukrainian ribbons.