Putin's military parade to boost patriotic sentiment

(Patria) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday attended a spectacular military parade on Red Square, which critics claim was strategically organized the day before the vote on constitutional changes that would, among other things, allow him to extend his presidential term until 2036.

Putin observed a parade of intercontinental ballistic missile launch systems, fighter jets with nuclear payloads, columns of tanks, and more than 14,000 soldiers, some of whom came from allied China. 

The parade, marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over the Nazis in World War II, was supposed to be held on May 9, but was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic in Russia, even though the epidemiological situation is now even more complex than a month ago.

Putin sat surrounded by veterans, without a mask, as everyone around him had previously been tested for coronavirus and quarantined until the start of the parade.

Although he had previously accused some European countries of trying to rewrite history, Putin nevertheless praised the contribution of Western allies in World War II during the parade, especially regarding the opening of the second front in 1944. 

The Russian president indicated that he would like to attend a UN Security Council summit to discuss ways to resolve global problems.

"We are open to dialogue and cooperation on most current issues of international importance," said the leader of the world superpower, adding that this applies to "creating a reliable general security system needed by the rapidly changing modern world," and emphasized that "only together can we defend the world from new dangerous threats." 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only 10 heads of state attended the major event, mostly from former Soviet countries.

The parade was held on the eve of the vote on constitutional changes that will, among other things, determine whether Putin can extend his six-year presidential term – twice more.

Namely, the current constitution prevents him from running after his current term expires in 2024.  

Some analysts claim that the authorities, supported by state media, used the annual parade to awaken patriotic sentiment, which would help Putin gain more support, as, according to polls, he currently enjoys only 59% approval, the lowest level since 1999.

Poll results reveal that Russians are largely dissatisfied with the economic downturn due to lower oil prices and prolonged quarantine, as well as rising unemployment.