Putin says army fights 'aggressive' NATO force in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that his soldiers in Ukraine are fighting an "aggressive force" backed by all of NATO, in a combative Victory Day address delivered amid ongoing military operations. Putin described Russia's war objectives as "just" and characterized the conflict as a defensive struggle against NATO expansion. The remarks, made during Moscow's scaled-down Victory Day parade held under tight security without military hardware, reflect Moscow's continued framing of the Ukraine invasion as a response to Western military pressure. The parade itself was notably reduced in scale, reportedly due to concerns over possible Ukrainian drone attacks. Putin's statement reinforces the Kremlin's narrative justifying its military campaign while NATO members continue providing military aid and support to Ukraine. The address underscores deepening tensions between Russia and Western allies over the conflict's origins and trajectory.