Sawt Falasteen - Putin and Xi rail against West as Ukraine reports truce violations

The Chinese president was among more than 20 foreign leaders in Russia to attend a vast military parade on Friday marking 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, taking place three years into Russia's offensive against Ukraine.

After a meeting with Xi that lasted more than three hours, Russian President Putin told reporters the two held "traditionally warm, friendly" talks and addressed the Chinese leader as his "dear friend".

Xi said earlier that Beijing's ties with Moscow brought "positive energy" to a world in turmoil, and that both stood firm against "hegemonic bullying" -- a swipe at the United States.

The Kremlin later published a joint statement from the two that described US President Donald Trump's plan for a space-based missile shield, known as the "Iron Dome for America" as "deeply destabilising".

Since Russia ordered troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Beijing has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the conflict, but the West has accused it of enabling Russia economically and diplomatically.

While the two leaders were meeting in Moscow, Ukraine accused Russia of hundreds of frontline attacks.

Russia ordered a truce to coincide with its World War II commemorations, saying it would test Kyiv's "readiness" for long-term peace, but Ukraine never agreed to it and has called instead for a longer 30-day ceasefire.

"Predictably, Putin's Parade ceasefire proves to be a farce," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.

"Russian forces continue to attack across the entire front line. From midnight to midday, Russia carried out 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations," he added.

- 'Proud of victory' -

A Ukrainian army brigade operating in the Kharkiv region told AFP there had been heavy drone fire since Putin's order came into force.

The Russian army said it was observing the truce while simultaneously "responding" to attacks by Ukraine.

The Kremlin was forced Wednesday to say it was taking "all necessary measures" to ensure the safety of world leaders in Russia for the parade.

Putin has elevated Victory Day into Russia's most important public holiday and channelled the Soviet Victory to justify Russia's offensive on Ukraine.

In Moscow, Ivan, 36, said he liked that the Kremlin was showing people could "still be proud of victory" and backed Russia to get the better of Ukraine in any peace deal.

Russia has captured swathes of Ukrainian territory and flattened cities and towns across the east with daily bombardments, forcing millions to flee their homes.

Putin ordered his army to stop firing on Ukraine for three days to mark the May 9 celebrations -- an order that came into effect at midnight (2100 GMT Wednesday).

But Ukraine, which dismissed the ceasefire as theatrics and never said it would abide by it, said Russia had broken its own order after just a few hours.

In Kramatorsk, just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the front line, Ukrainians were sceptical.

"There is no hope that they will keep their word," said Victoria, a 43-year-old who works at a bank.

In the capital Kyiv, the feeling was the same.

"When has Russia ever kept its promises?" asked Anatoly Pavlovych, 73.

- 'Evil cannot be appeased' -

Ukrainian authorities said Moscow launched an aerial bomb attack on the northeastern Sumy region overnight.

The governor of Russia's Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, meanwhile said Ukrainian shelling had killed a 61-year-old woman in a border village.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Putin's three-day truce order as a "manipulation" of the peace process.

He called for an unconditional 30-day full ceasefire -- a US proposal he previously accepted but that was rejected by Putin.

Zelensky denounced Moscow's World War II commemorations as a "parade of cynicism" and renewed calls for support against Russia.

"Evil cannot be appeased. It must be fought. Together. Resolutely. With force. With pressure," he said on social media.

US President Donald Trump has sought to end Moscow's assault on Ukraine since his inauguration in January but has failed to ease hostilities between the enemies.

The White House has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress and Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on the two sides to enter direct talks.

Ukraine's parliament on Thursday also ratified a resources deal with the United States that Kyiv hopes will unlock future military support from Washington.

O.Farraj--SF-PST