INSIDE RUSSIA
Friday’s Victory Day parade in Moscow featured disciplined troops and modern military equipment, including upgraded T-72B3 tanks, MSTA-S artillery systems, and next-generation drones.
“The equipment and weaponry presented at the parade and the drilled and disciplined troops showed that our army is not all bogged down on the steppes of Ukraine, but present here…in full dress uniform and in excellent spirits,” Russian military intelligence veteran, Col. Rustem Klupov said.
“If our troops were in some kind of deplorable state and there were difficulties at the front, we would not have been able to pull out either tanks or guns for the parade. But they were shown,” Klupov pointed out.
Furthermore, just as weapons like the T-34 became symbols of victory in the Great Patriotic War, the weapons on display at Friday’s parade are becoming the same kind of symbols for the present conflict, according to the observer.
“Weapons like the T-72B3, the MSTA-S, the Tornado-S, the BMP-2, a new model of the BRM-1K with a new weapons module and completely new electronics, as well as new models of weapons of a completely new generation, various types of drones” demonstrate that Russia has the arsenal for future victories.
Watchword of Putin’s Victory Day speech: Sovereignty
The president’s remarks were traditionally neutral and devoid of aggressive overtones, condemning and calling for a struggle against negative social manifestations such as Nazism and Russophobia, Russian military intelligence veteran, Col. Rustem Klupov says.
But the key message was a demonstration of Russia’s growing ability and readiness to “say no” to the hegemonic forces seeking to dominate the planet.
Russia has friends and fellow travelers in this struggle fighting for their national interests, “primarily against the dominance of the West, which is not fighting for its survival, but for its wealth and neocolonial possessions.”
“This is why we today are increasingly declaring our sovereignty, and those countries that would also like to and seek to get out of subordination, to be sovereign and conduct mutually beneficial economic relations with others were present at the Victory Day parade,” Klupov said.
Lessons Learned
The victory in the Great Patriotic War taught the USSR a bitter lesson, according to the observer. Moscow’s erstwhile allies began planning to attack the Soviet Union immediately after WWII ended out of a desire to preserve their hegemony.
“In 1991 they began to achieve it, but couldn’t finish the job. We began reviving and defending our sovereignty. They will never recognize us as equals capable of coexisting, seeing us as pygmies and savages.” Hence the rolling of NATO up to Russia’s borders, and attempts to absorb Ukraine.
The situation today has shifted, and the collective West will either have to back off, or face the risk of economic and political collapse, Klupov believes.
“Putin at one time asked about creating a global or Eurasian security [architecture]. If the West does not want to create such a system with us that meets both sides’ interests, we’re ready to build a Eurasian security system with parts of Europe and Asia, and Global South countries in Africa and Latin America. In essence, that is already happening bit by bit.”
Over 150 Countries Invited to Moscow for Meeting Organized by Russian Security Council
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – More than 150 countries and over 20 international organizations have been invited to the 13th international meeting of high representatives in charge of security issues, which will be held in Moscow from May 27-29 under the chairmanship of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, the council said.
“Invitations to participate in the forum have been sent to more than 150 states of the Global South and East, the CIS, CSTO, EAEU, SCO countries, as well as to the leadership of more than 20 international organizations. The agenda of the 13th forum includes issues of international cooperation in the field of security,” the statement says.
The Russian Security Council has been organizing an annual international meeting of high representatives responsible for security issues since 2010. The forum is an important international platform for exchanging opinions on all issues related to global security and mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between partner countries in the fight against international terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, as well as new challenges and threats.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Abbas Thanks Russia for Supporting Palestine During Talks With Putin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Palestinian people are grateful to Russia for its support and know that Russia has always advocated for Palestinian statehood, President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday.
“Mr. President, we thank Russia for its approach, its position in support of the Palestinian problem, its position in the political, economic and other spheres. We know very well that Russia always supports justice and the creation of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem, based on international law,” Abbas said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
The Palestinian people are very grateful to Russia for the support it has provided, particularly for the much-needed humanitarian aid, Abbas said.
“We also thank you for the assistance that has been provided recently, including humanitarian aid – 30,000 tonnes of wheat. And we also note the need to supply humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where there is a shortage of food, electricity, and all other necessities… The situation is very bad in the Gaza Strip, and this assistance that you are providing is a balm for the soul of our people. Our people greatly appreciate it,” Abbas told Putin.
Palestinians hope to see a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a solution to humanitarian problems, Abbas said.
“We are currently experiencing very difficult conditions that are related to the military situation, issues of concluding a truce. This concerns both the West Bank of the Jordan River and Gaza. We want a ceasefire. We want a solution to humanitarian issues,” Abbas said.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Putin Proposes Peace Talks With Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul Without Any Preconditions
Russia offers Ukraine to resume direct talks on May 15 in Istanbul, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
President Vladimir Putin is delivering a key statement, concluding four days of high-level talks with world leaders gathered in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat. The Kremlin-confirmed address comes as international attention remains sharply focused on Russia’s geopolitical stance.
“In this regard, despite everything, we propose that the Kiev authorities resume the talks they interrupted at the end of 2022, resume direct talks, and without any preconditions. We propose to begin without delay next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, where they were held earlier and where they were interrupted,” Putin said in a statement following a series of international talks in the Kremlin.
Russia is ready for serious negotiations with Ukraine, the point is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, Putin said.
“We are ready for serious negotiations with Ukraine, their point is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, to establish a long-term, lasting peace for the historical perspective,” the president told journalists.
Putin said that Russia’s proposal to resume negotiations with Ukraine was on the table.
The Kremlin will announce who will lead the Russian delegation to the Istanbul talks on Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday.
“That will be announced,” Ushakov told reporters when asked who will lead the Russian delegation to the talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the North Korean armed forces on Sunday for playing an important role in liberating the border areas of Russia’s Kursk Region from Ukrainian troops.
Russia Records Over 14,000 Ceasefire Violations by Ukraine
Despite the declaration of a ceasefire, Ukrainian forces have continued combat operations against Russian troops. They made five attempts to break through the Russian state border in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.
The Ukrainian forces attacked the positions of Russian troops 14,043 times, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.
“With the end of the ceasefire, the armed forces of the Russian Federation continued the Special Military Operation,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that the Russian forces had strictly observed the declared ceasefire.
“In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation [President Vladimir Putin], all groups of Russian forces in the zone of the special military operation strictly observed the ceasefire regime and remained on the previously occupied lines and positions – from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11,” the statement read.
Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr has defeated up to 460 Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk People’s Republic after the ceasefire ended, striking 11 Ukrainian brigades, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“Battlegroup Tsentr have advanced their tactical position and defeated the manpower and equipment of seven mechanized and assault brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, two marine brigades and a national guard brigade,” the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Sever has eliminated up to 200 Ukrainian servicepeople, four assault regiments of the Ukrainian armed forces and two territory defense brigades in the Sumy region, the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 190 Ukrainian servicepeople, a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, an armored combat vehicle, six pickup trucks and an artillery piece, as well as a Kvertus electronic warfare station.
Battlegroup Vostok have eliminated over 150 troops, an armored personnel carrier and an armored combat vehicle, the ministry said.
Kremlin: Putin Doing Everything Possible to Resolve Ukraine Conflict Diplomatically
Russian President Vladimir Putin is making every effort to achieve a diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
According to Peskov, Moscow strongly opposes the idea of deploying European “peacekeepers” in Ukraine, viewing such proposals as unconstructive and counterproductive to genuine peace efforts.
He also emphasized that resolving the Ukraine crisis is far more complex than simply signing a piece of paper.
Peskov stated that “the process of reaching a settlement is full of small details, each of which is vital for the future of both Russia and Ukraine.”
INSIGHTS
Scott Ritter: Putin’s Peace Talks Push Forces Zelensky to Either ‘Put Up or Shut Up’
President Putin has announced Russia’s readiness for “direct talks” with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, “without preconditions” and aimed at eliminating “the root causes of the conflict.” Sputnik asked prolific military and geopolitical affairs observer Scott Ritter what the proposal means for Zelensky and his Western sponsors.
“This is a brilliant act of diplomatic and political strategy by Vladimir Putin,” the former US Marine Corps intelligence officer told Sputnik, commenting on the Russian proposal.
“Now Russia has the initiative and Russia has the moral high ground. There will be no more talk about 30-day artificial ceasefires. Ukraine either has to put up or shut up,” Ritter said.
The same goes for Ukraine’s Western sponsors, which have up to now been able to define and control the narrative on a diplomatic resolution to the crisis with the 30-day ceasefire demands. With his proposal, Putin managed to “get inside” the West’s decision-making cycle, forcing them to react, and putting him “in control” of the narrative.
🚨GAME OVER FOR WARMONGERS: SCOTT RITTER’S EPIC BREAKDOWN OF PUTIN’S PEACE PUSH
🇷🇺Russia’s call for direct, unconditional talks with Ukraine is a diplomatic checkmate for Zelensky and the West.
Ex-US Marine Corps intel officer Scott Ritter REVEALS WHY. Let’s dive in🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/Kj4rtV8frF
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) May 11, 2025
“One of the big problems” Zelensky will face is his self-imposed ban on direct negotiations with Russia, which Zelensky cannot and will not change, and which his Western sponsors prefer not to talk about.
Should Zelensky reject Russia’s new Istanbul talks offer, it will allow Putin to “expose the hypocrisy of the Ukrainian government, expose the hypocrisy of the West, and expose, frankly speaking, the inefficiency of the United States or lack of seriousness of the United States when it comes to finding a diplomatic outcome,” Ritter said.
Otherwise, Russia’s negotiations olive branch “cannot be undermined,” according to the observer, since they’re a continuation of the spring 2022 talks in Belarus and Istanbul, which successfully hammered out a draft peace deal before it was sabotaged by Boris Johnson and the West. In that sense, Putin is “putting forward a successful model of negotiation, which, had it been acted on back in March of 2022, there would be no special military operation today.”
Zelensky’s Trap
There is no circumstance under which Russia would accept Zelensky and Europe’s ’30-day ceasefire’ demands, Ritter says.
“The moment Russia agrees to a 30-day ceasefire, thousands of European troops will pour into Ukraine…It would be suicide for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire without addressing the root causes of the conflict, which is why Russia insists that first there be negotiations. Russia is actually looking at a path of genuine peace to solve the problem so that when this war ends, there won’t be another war in five, ten, twenty years,” he emphasized.
At the same time, Ritter says, it’s important to keep in mind that the “tragic reality” of the Ukrainian crisis is that Ukraine is not a sovereign state, but “a tool being used by NATO, by Europe, by the United States to weaken Russia.”
“That’s what this conflict has always been about…Consequently, we need to understand that no one, neither Europe, the US or Ukraine are looking for actual peace,” but rather seek a temporary deal that would allow Ukraine to regroup militarily, economically and politically to continue the conflict,” the observer said.
