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Preparations on Red Square are in full swing.
Huge concert, huge screens and, most notably, a speech by Kremlin President Vladimir Putin (69). The Russian elite, Friday, wants to celebrate the annexation of the occupied Ukrainian regions of Cherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia. All four regions are said to be applying to join Russia, which Putin plans to formalize at a ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday.
The government spares no effort in that. Red Square was closed on Thursday to prevent obstruction of construction work. There are signs that read “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson: Russia!” in the city.
Party countdown
The countdown is already underway on Russian state news channels, with the clocks counting down to 2pm Swiss time. Then Putin will sign district acceptance agreements with the four pro-Russian regional leaders. Putin also plans to deliver an “important speech,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced Thursday.
After the official ceremony, there will be a gala concert on Red Square. Pictures from the Russian capital show a stage in the Kremlin. In addition, Pisco said, various “celebratory events” will be held. He did not give further details.
Putin is already threatening
Moscow celebrated the annexation of Crimea in a similar way in 2014. There was also an open-air concert at that time, and Putin took part in the celebration. Pisco left the door open on Thursday whether he would also be there this time.
The agreements are scheduled to be ratified early next week by both houses of the Russian parliament in a formality. But Putin declared that these areas should already be under Russia’s “nuclear protection”. Any attack on the territories will be treated as an attack on Russia. Putin declared that his country would use all available means to defend itself. He is expected to say the same again on Friday. (zis)
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