Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin wishes all Ukrainians a “peaceful and just future”. He spoke to citizens and veterans of the country’s military, which has been under attack by its troops since late February, in light of the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Kremlin has traditionally sent messages of congratulations to other countries of the former Soviet Union; in the cases of Ukraine and Georgia, Putin spoke to the “nations” there, and in other post-Soviet countries, he also spoke to their leaders.

“Unfortunately, Nazism is now raising its head again and trying to impose barbaric and inhumane orders on us. It is our sacred duty to prevent retaliation from their ideological successors who were defeated during the Great Patriotic War. I sincerely wish veterans of the Great Patriotic War mental health, health and longevity, and a peaceful and just future for all Ukrainians,” the Russian president said, according to the Kremlin website.

Putin initially justified his bloody but unsuccessful invasion of Ukraine on February 24 with the need to “neglect” Ukraine. According to observers, Moscow’s original goal was a rapid regime change in Kiev, after which failed attempts to conquer the Ukrainian capital, Russian troops are now trying to occupy territory in the east and south of the neighboring country. So far, the fighting has claimed thousands of civilians, and Russia is destroying Ukrainian cities with rockets and air strikes.