Vladimir Putin has sent a huge warning to the world, wasting no time in defying Donald Trump after the US President made a major announcement just hours earlier.
The Russian warmonger has been speaking at the country's annual Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War 2 and honours around 27 million Soviet citizens who were killed. Just hours earlier, Mr Trump had announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, as he declared that the gruelling four-year conflict is drawing closer to its end. However, during his speech, Putin again appeared to take aim at Ukraine, claiming "victory will be ours", while also taking a direct swipe at NATO.
Putin said: "The great feat of the victorious generation inspires the soldiers of the SVO [Russia’s euphemism for the war in Ukraine],” the Russian president said.
The Russia president alleged his country's forces are confronting an enemy "supported by the entire NATO bloc", but claimed encouraging progress on the frontline - despite huge reported losses during the Ukraine war.
He added: "Victory in the SVO is forged both on the battlefield and in the rear. Our cause is just."
"Victory has always been and always will be ours."
As Putin started speaking the the Victory Day parade, the Kremlin insisted there are "no plans" to extend the ongoing three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine - despite Mr Trump claiming the end of the war could be edging closer.
On Friday evening, the US President wrote on Truth Social: "This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country.
"This request was made directly by me, and I very much appreciate its agreement by President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He added: "Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War. Talks are continuing on ending this major conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day."
