MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday warned Russia could defeat any aggressors but insisted that the world come together to fight “terrorism” as Moscow marked 72 years since victory in World War II. Soldiers and military hardware paraded across Red Square in Moscow as the country held its annual pomp-filled celebration of the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. “The lessons of past war force us to remain alert and the armed forces of Russia are capable of warding off any potential aggression,” Putin said as he presided over the parade. As soldiers paraded in cities across the country, Moscow’s forces at its Hmeimim air base in Syria also held a ceremony. Russia has been pushing for the West to join forces with it in Syria to battle “terrorism” but has faced fierce criticism for backing leader Bashar al-Assad.

Source: Manila Times May 09, 2017 08:48 UTC