On a Victory Day without new victories, Putin’s speech keeps the world guessing

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech commemorating Russia’s Victory Day on Monday.

Putin gave few hints about the conflict in Ukraine.

Global leaders and defense officials were speculating for weeks about what he may say about his plans.

Some thought that he might use this historic day to increase his “special military operation” and declare outright war.

Instead, the Russian president used his address to weave history into the present.

He relied on Russian nationalism to justify his war on the most patriotic of days.

It is ambiguous if Putin will utilize this day, or even this week, to further intensify the war.