Daily brief
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the Victory Day parade on Moscow's Red Square, delivering a speech in which he denounced NATO and stated that the Russian army is fighting an aggressive force backed by the alliance. The ceremony was scaled back, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and former President Dmitry Medvedev also in attendance. Putin also said he believes the Ukraine conflict is nearing its end and named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a preferred negotiator for Russia-Europe dialogue.
US President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine along with a prisoner exchange, but both sides have since accused each other of violating the truce; the Kremlin said an extension beyond May 11 has not yet been discussed.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Putin in Moscow for Victory Day commemorations, briefing him on his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, drawing criticism from the EU for defying its stance.