Putin and Xi display their understanding in the Kremlin, the truce in Ukraine violated according to kyiv

Around 20 foreign leaders are expected in Moscow on Friday for the large military parade on Red Square to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, a central element of the patriotic narrative promoted by Vladimir Putin, who has often drawn historical parallels with the offensive against Ukraine launched in 2022.

It was in this context that the Russian president received his "dear friend" Xi Jinping at the Kremlin on Thursday, after arriving the day before for a three-day visit. The two leaders once again demonstrated their partnership with the West, and the United States in particular.

Following the meetings, the Russian president praised "very productive" discussions with Mr. Xi, who, for his part, praised the negotiations as "in-depth, cordial and fruitful."

"We have reached agreement on many issues," the Chinese leader said in the gilded halls of the Kremlin.

Several issues were discussed, according to Vladimir Putin, including "politics, security, economic relations," but "not yet" the conflict in Ukraine at this stage, according to the Kremlin.

"We will continue to closely coordinate our positions," assured the Russian president, who wants to "deepen" Russian-Chinese cooperation, already "at its highest level in history."

Earlier, Xi Jinping had assured that the Beijing-Moscow agreement injected "positive energy" into a world in crisis and criticized the Western "tendency" toward "unilateralism" and "hegemonic harassment," in the midst of the trade war launched by US President Donald Trump, notably against Beijing.

Vladimir Putin, for his part, assured that the two powers were developing their ties "in the interest" of their peoples "and not against anyone." He added that Moscow and Beijing would defend "the historical truth" about the Second World War, accusing the West of trying to distort it.

Diplomatic impasse

Soldiers from China and a dozen other countries are due to take part in a military parade in Moscow on Friday, despite warnings from kyiv that it represents "support for the aggressor state" Russia.

On February 24, 2022, the Russian president ordered his troops to attack Ukraine, triggering a conflict that has since resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides. His army still occupies nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Efforts to end hostilities, initiated by Donald Trump after his return to the White House, now appear to have reached an impasse.

Ukraine, under pressure from Washington, is insisting on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire before any direct talks with Russia.

An initiative rejected by Vladimir Putin, who instead wants concrete commitments to Russia's demands before accepting a global halt to the clashes.

The two countries have continued cross-border strikes in recent days. In Russia, hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed since Tuesday following Ukrainian drone attacks.

The Kremlin has assured that it is taking "all necessary measures" to ensure the security of the celebrations, including limiting internet access.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, criticized the military parade planned for Friday in Moscow. "It will be a parade of cynicism" and "lies," he denounced Thursday.

Mutual accusations

Despite the truce announced by Vladimir Putin coming into effect overnight, which will last until Saturday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga accused the Russian army of attacking "along the entire front line," citing hundreds of ceasefire violations.

The minister promised an "appropriate" response from the Ukrainian army to these attacks, while Russian forces assured that they were "strictly respecting" the truce, simply stating that they were "responding" to Ukrainian violations.

"Nothing has changed overnight," Andrii, a 50-year-old Ukrainian soldier met in Kramatorsk (east), told AFP.

"No truce so far," a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Khartiia Brigade, which operates in the Kharkiv region (northeast), confirmed at midday. He reported "heavy gunfire" and shells fired by small drones.

The Ukrainian Air Force, however, clarified that between 21:00 GMT Wednesday and 05:00 GMT Thursday, "no missile launches or use of attack drones were reported in Ukrainian airspace."

Vladimir Putin had already unilaterally declared a brief ceasefire over the Easter weekend in April, which led to a reduction in the intensity of the clashes, although neither side fully respected it.

Finally, the Ukrainian parliament ratified the minerals agreement signed with the United States on Thursday, after several months of heated negotiations.