Dances With Wolverines

 

Russian servicemen in historical uniforms take part in a military parade on Moscow's Red Square. This parade marks the 71st anniversary of a historical parade in 1941 when Soviet soldiers marched through Red Square towards the front lines to take on the Nazis during World War Two.  Picture: REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

So, says Vladimir Putin: who needs them anyway? He has alienated all the countries of importance that were allies of Soviet Russia during the Second World War, battling the Nazi war machine; that is, once the initial pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union fizzled out. None of the countries of Europe, of North America sent their emissaries to help Russia celebrate 70 years commemoration of when it battled itself to victory over invading Nazi forces.

Seizing parts of Ukraine and threatening the sovereignty of Scandinavia and eastern Europe hasn't won Mr. Putin any popularity contests of late. He has scandalized those members of the international community for whom his actions are not a direct threat, and terrorized those countries that were once part of the Soviet Union, with threatening moves that cannot be mistaken for affectionate overtures in memory of past alliances. In the process he has earned the condemnation of all.

So who would want to shrug and visit with him in Moscow for that signal celebration? Well, some would; Xi Jinping, for example, the latest Chinese leader whose own exploits in the South and East China Seas have done to China's near neighbours what Russian imperialism has done to its east European neighbours; infuriated, perplexed and terrorized them. The giant neighbour with the vast war machine flexing its mechanical muscles.

 

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniform prepare to parade on Red Square in Moscow   Picture: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

 

Saturday's grand military procession in Moscow featured ranks of goose-stepping troops, complemented by tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles along with assault helicopters, fighter jets and bombers crowding the skies; 160 warplanes in all. Comprising Victory Day in Moscow where Vladimir Putin played genial host to Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Cuba's Raul Castro, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kyrgyzstan's Almazbek Atabayev and Tajikistan's Emomali Rahmon.

A rogue's gallery of tyrants, suitable company for Vladimir Putin, senior rogue in residence.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel missed the primary festivities but did come along a day later in honour of the war dead of both countries at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Inconveniently for Putin's wish to celebrate victories, not hash over recent events in Ukraine, Chancellor Merkel spoke of responsibility and expectations, that really, Mr. Putin should exert himself to mediate upon repeated ceasefire violations by his eastern Ukraine surrogates.

Moscow's buildup of its forces once again in southwestern Russia and within Ukraine, is a matter that is concerning to NATO's secretary general and its top soldier, and Germany was given the enviable task of alerting Mr. Putin. Moscow supplying of troops gathering in southwestern Russia and inside Ukraine with fresh tanks, artillery and ammunition cannot conceivably be reflective of yet another military practise, can it?

Having celebrated with Victory Day parties, western capitals now anticipate that Mr. Putin may be prepared to direct his proxies in eastern Ukraine that it's past time to take possession of Mariupol because a land bridge from Russia to Crimea is a very good idea as far as Vladimir Putin is concerned. And what Vladimir Putin thinks is apt, is shared by the Russian electorate who hold him in a 80% popularity rating.

Russian soldiers walk alongside T-34 tanks during a military parade on Red Square

Angele Merkel should get top grades for boundless, ongoing efforts, the perennial messenger who hasn't yet been shot. As the West's expert on Putin and his volatility she has stated her belief that he has time and again deceived her on matters relating to Ukraine.