Christopher Vourlias On March 15, less than three weeks removed from his country’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu drafted a letter to the Minister of Culture demanding the film and TV work of Ukrainian actor-turned-wartime-President Volodymyr Zelensky be “removed from the cultural agenda of the Russian Federation,” citing efforts to rally the public behind President Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression.Also mentioned in his complaint: two-time Oscar nominee Alexander Rodnyansky (“Leviathan,” “Loveless”), the Kyiv-born producer who has called Russia home for two decades.Rodnyansky had already fled the country. On March 1, he was tipped off by a friend that his opposition to the Ukraine war had landed him in the government’s crosshairs.
Putin blames West for Ukraine war and says Russia is fighting 'for their motherland'
09.05.2022 - 12:05 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of preparing to invade Russia and told soldiers they are fighting for the future of their 'motherland' in a Victory Day speech in the country's capital on Monday (9 May).
Taking to Moscow's Red Square to mark the day, which celebrates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Mr Putin began his speech by telling Russian fighters they are fighting for the security of Russia. He said "the West did not want to listen to Russia, and they had other plans."
He said that the West was "preparing for the invasion of our land, including Crimea". Mr Putin told soldiers: "You are fighting for your motherland, its future. The death of every soldier and officer is painful for us. The state will do everything to take care of these families."
Read more: Vladimir Putin branded a Nazi and should be ended the same way, UK defence secretary says
The Russian president also drew parallels between the Red Army’s fighting against Nazi troops and the Russian forces’ action in Ukraine. He said that the campaign in Ukraine was a timely and necessary move to ward off potential aggression. The Russian leader added that troops are fighting for the country’s security in Ukraine, and observed a minute of silence to honour those who had fallen in combat.
There was no major announcement in President Putin’s Victory Day speech, as some had anticipated. But in his address, the Kremlin leader tried to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying Nato and Ukraine were creating threats “unacceptable to us” on Russia’s borders, reports the BBC.
However, most of the world, and international bodies such as the United Nations, consider Russia the aggressor and Moscow’s operation in Ukraine
Trudeau Says Putin Responsible For ‘Heinous War Crimes’ During Surprise Visit To Ukraine
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it is clear now that Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for “heinous war crimes” following a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.