Al-Marsad newspaper – agencies: Britain expected Vladimir Putin to use Russia’s “Victory Day Parade” a week later, to announce the mass mobilization of his reserves for a “final push” in Ukraine.
Speaking on Friday, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the Russian president may declare a new war against the “Nazis” around the world, during the big military parade on May 9, which marks the end of Russia’s participation in World War II.
Some analysts have speculated that Putin would want to be in a position to declare some form of victory on May 9, but with Russia’s Victory Day now approaching less than two weeks later, this day may turn from a declaration of victory, to a declaration of an expansion of the war.
Wallace told LBC radio that Putin might take the opportunity to declare a “new war” on the world’s so-called Nazis to motivate the Russian people to launch a new military campaign against Ukraine.
Wallace added on Friday morning: “I would not be surprised .. It is likely that he will announce on May Day, ‘We are now at war with the Nazis in the world and we need a mass mobilization of the Russian people.'”