Putin Gets a Victory Day Cease-Fire From Trump, But Only After a Humiliation from Zelenskyy
An attack on Red Square seemed unlikely, but Putin had to ask Trump for protection
It’s official: Ukraine will not attack Red Square on May 9, as Russia celebrates the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. On May 8, Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree “allowing” a parade to take place, and publishing the coordinates in central Moscow that won’t be targeted.
The cease-fire, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, lasts until May 11. It came after Russian leader Vladimir Putin called Trump on April 29, who asked for a cessation of hostilities for the holiday, which has become the cornerstone of Russia’s state religion valorizing World War II. Trump then had to bring Zelenskyy on board, who acceded, getting a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. (Ukraine refused to rule out attacking other targets, but said it would observe the cease-fire on a reciprocal basis, only responding in kind to Russian attacks.)
It’s worth stepping back to note how much of a humiliation this is for Putin. The Russian leader had to ask Trump, leader of what the Soviets called the Glavnii vrag, a.k.a. the “main enemy” of the U.S., to protect the parade that legitimizes his autocratic regime.
