♪ brent: this is dw news live from berlin. tonight a message of defiance from vladimir putin, not stopping the war in ukraine. the russian president making a series of false claims to justify the invasion. he says he is defending the motherland. he continues to rail against the west. meanwhile, central kyiv is almost quiet after ukraine cancels public events

remembering the end of world war ii for fears of russian attacks. europe's two most powerful leaders pledging unwavering support. the french president emmanuel macron makes a state visit here to germany, dominated by the invasion of ukraine. in the dictator's's son, ferdinand marcos junior heads for a landslide election win in philippines. he takes a commanding lead over his main rival, with more than 80% of the votes already counted. ♪ brent: i'm brent goff. reviewers watching from the united states and to all of you around the world, welcome. great to have you on this monday. is important is praising his armed forces fighting in ukraine and promising to push on with

the invasion without calling it an invasion. he spoke during moscow's annual victory day. which celebrates the 1945 defeat of nazi germany. the leader made a series of false claims about the war, including the allegation that western countries provoked this year's attack on ukraine. reporter: year after year, the same ceremony. the russian defense minister and top military brass, to inspire their troops. there were plenty of uniforms even among the general public. the soviet victory day is one of russia's most important public holidays. but this year's event did not just celebrate victory over nazi germany, the war in ukraine as well. >> today you are defending what our grandfathers and great grandfathers fought for, the most important thing in their legs was the prosperity and security of their homeland. glory to our heroic military.

for russia, for victory. >> [speaking in russian] ♪ reporter: 11,000 soldiers, many of whom have reportedly already served in the donbass region, and lots of military hardware. putin a guinness book of neo nazis in ukraine and accused nato of threatening russia. >> russia has given a preemptive rebuff to the bloc aggression. it was forced, timely, and the right decision. the decision of a sovereign, strong, and independent country. reporter: hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in moscow and in other cities, carrying pictures of those who took part in world war ii. historically, civil society used these marches as an alternative to the military parade, but it seems these days the kremlin has taken a lead here.

brent: joining me tonight is our correspondent. ostensibly in russia, used to work in the moscow bureau before it was closed by the russian government, now reporting from outside the country. let's talk about what we heard today from the russian president. what do you make of what he did not say in particular? reporter: it is interesting that a lot of the charter indicated that he would most likely be declaring all-out war on ukraine, calling for mobilizations and mobilization of more troops. now that did not actually happen. we have to remind viewers that the current conflict is only a special military operation, in the language of the kremlin. they don't have the right to fully engage incomplete, all-out war. because of the black eyes the ukrainian military has given the russian military, a lot of people were expecting him to declare war. he didn't do that. he stepped back. instead it seems he tried to

give his people he knew frame to look at the war. he said, this will be a very long conflict. it would not be over next week, we don't have victory at. instead he framed it in the language of defending the country against the perceived threat of nazi powers in ukraine. of course, that has been debunked. there aren't any nazi leaders in ukraine. however, he invoked a patriotic fight against the nazis in world war ii, trying to say, look, people, this will be an incredibly long fight. brent: it is a message without hope and also a message about the possibility of mission accomplished anytime soon. also not asking for it more soldiers to be drafted. it's almost like doing nothing. but is he doing that, do you think, in order to allow himself the possibility of a ramp to get out of this war? guest: he is not looking for an offramp. he has had opportunities to go to the negotiating table in recent weeks and sue for peace.

instead we are seeing a reframing of this conflict. putin has not been able to achieve the success he was expecting. they had troops, armored divisions for kyiv and they didn't manage to actually take the city. they were driven back. they haven't had that quick military victory. brent: is he angry with his generals? is there animosity between the two? guest: i would love to be a fly in the wall in their conversations, but as i have been covering the country, i can't imagine he is a happy man. there were rumors he placed some of them under house arrest when this started to go south several weeks ago. it doesn't look like he's trying to get out of the conflict quickly. much like the soviet conflict in afghanistan, he seems to begin this for the long haul, saying to people, "this is going to be a long fight against us end the west. of fight for our existence. you have to stick to this

fight." brent: it is like he is stuck in the 20th century. almost as if the soviet union were still there. and that is what he is trying to reclaim. guest: i wouldn't go so far as to say he's trying to reclaim and rebuild the soviet union. instead, he is a nationalist, a power-based politician. he famously said the collapse of the soviet union was the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century. but he does not want to re-create communism or socialism. instead he has always been about creating an incredibly strong, centralized russian state. . part of that is a dependence on militarism. that is what he has been rebuilding the military for 70 years. that is why this conflict in ukraine is so embarrassing because at the end of the day, ukrainians who are a much smaller military were able to stop this incredible invasion force. that is part of the reason he is sticking to his guns. brent: and he can ill afford to have generals who hate him or

who are willing to show that as well, as you pointed out. as always, thank you. >> thank you. brent: while many in russia back of vladimir putin, others have left because they opposed the invasion in ukraine and they are now living in exile, countries like outside of europe. one film director tells the stories of children raised in a culture of militarism and nationalism. >> building a new home in israel, this man and his family fled moscow at the beginning of march, leaving behind their former life. he says he and his wife had no choice. >> when the war started, it was absolutely obvious that we had to leave. we haven't slept and eaten anything because we were so emotionally devastated. reporter: thefollow the news with great concern.

he says he is not surprised by the allegations of atrocities committed by the russian army. his 2019 documentary "tone of glory," shows the russian's love of the military, and how even children are indoctrinated. [chatter] >> the attitude towards violence in russia, any kind of violence, is very -- to be your kid, if you are a teacher, to shout at students, to torture some animal, the balance is a normal thing for russia. i believe that this is the root of what is happening now in ukraine.

reporter: the film also deals with the propaganda putin and his aides have used to convince russians that the west is their enemy. many russians are still nostalgic about the former soviet union he says. that is wh many of tm support thwar in uaine. >> putin is just doing what people want. he feels the people's aspirations. yes. he warmed it up. he make it more and more and more aggressive. but still, he's doing what people want him to do. reporter: the director and his wife obtained israeli citizenship after the annexation of crimea. they wanted a safe haven which

israel offers to immigrants with jewish descent. a miss russia, but as long as putin is in power, they don't see a future there. brent: you can watch that documentary "tone of glory," by the filmmaker we just met there on the dw documentary channel on youtube. as well as the victory day parade in moscow today, several other soviet states have been marking the defeat of nazi germany. millions of ukrainians fought alongside russians in the red army. but ukraine isn't holding any public remembrance events this year for fear of russian attacks. >> it may be victory day, but ukrainians haven't got much to celebrate. kyiv's independence square, almost empty. and ceremonies cap -- kept small. >> this is remembrance day, commemorating all those who died during world war ii. on this day we are also

commemorating the ukrainians who have died during this current war. i don't like to call that a war actually, that an act of aggression by the russian federation. reporter: with festivus trees -- with festivities canceled, the silent here looms heavily. but in the southwest, the sound of air sirens is piercing. [siren wailing] reporter: ukraine says russia fired high precision missiles at the cities of odessa and mykolaiv. and russian troops continue to storm the azovstal steelworks in mariupol, where the city's last defenders are holding out. >> there are no shackles that can bind it now free spirit. there is no compiler that can take root in our free land. there is no invader who can move over free people. sooner or later, we will win. reporter: not all ukrainians

share zelenskyy's sentiments. in an area of mariupol spared from the shelling, some are attending celebrations organized by the moscow backed separatist government of donetsk, and promoted by russia. >> first we were not allowed by the ukrainian authorities to celebrate victory day. but we still celebrated in every family. later, the mayor's office allowed us to lay flowers and thank the veterans. that there you couldn't authorities were not happy about this. in 2014, we knew we would always be together with russia. reporter: the city, which has mostly been destroyed by russian attacks, is now almost entirely under the kremlin's control. as ukrainians honor the sacrifices of their forefathers, many look to the future with a fear that the lessons of the past have not been learned.

brent: our correspondent is in the ukrainian capital of kyiv. earlier, she told me how people reacted to the victory day parade in moscow, and to russian president putin's speech today. >> people here in ukraine basically cannot wrap their head around the fact that vladimir putin believes this is a nazi country that needs to be de-nazified. and this is three months into the war. there were listening and saying, what does putin have up his sleeve? what other delusional plans he may have as this war rages on. people are on edge because people are so and that's because things are so unpredictable. they are on edge as this day has not concluded. you can see behind me, nobody on the streets. there is a curfew going. people wonder, is this going to

be over anytime soon? is this progression -- this full-fledged war, is it going to be over anytime soon and at what price? for the civilians here in ukraine? brent: and indeed, putin gave no clarity at all today on his intentions. what do we know about the latest on the fighting that we are seeing in the south on the east of ukraine? report: the fighting and the rockets that ukraine has seen over the last week and also today, the queion is really, what is the victory right now? what is the symbolic victory that everybody was looking at that vladimir putin may pronounce, which he didn't buy their way today, but then again, what would prevent him from saying that mariupol is under russian victory? the victory was declared on

april 21. but when it comes to the as of steel plant, where ch of the focus has been in the last week as ukrnian soldiers are holed up there, everyones wondering in which phase the ongoing fighting is revolvinground the control of the steellant. it is just one part of the focus here in mariupol. the president of the european council was visiting odessa today when he had to seek shelter as well. so even though the fighting and the attacks in ukraine did not these, they have increased in the last couple of days, everybody is bracing for what is next year in ukraine as the war enters day 76 tomorrow. brent: exactly right, the predictions to the speedy end to the war, we know what happens to predictions connected to vladimir putin. fanny, thank you. the city of mikell live is on the frontlines of the war in southern ukraine and has been

hit by russian attacks time and time again since march, and is blocking an advance by russia's forces to odessa. our correspondent accompanied the ukrainian army on the front line near make alive, and he spoke -- near me: i've -- near mykolaiv. reporter: dreams shattered, destroyed by russian bombs. the southern ukrainian city of mykolaiv has been plagued by bombing and shelling since the beginning of the war. alexander was sitting in his garden in early march when two planes flew overhead, dropping bombs. >> there were explosions. white smoke everywhere. it took off the roof of the fence. over there, two people died. it was a clear day. they were flying low. they must have seen that there were no soldiers here.

just as civilians. reporter: fighting continues in the region during our visit. it was here in mykolaiv that the russian advance was stopped. now the city is blocking a russian advance towards odessa. but the price is distraction. in late march, the governor's residence became a target. >> this building was hit by a russian missile, the obvious target being the governor, who has been one of the most important public figures during this war. >>. >> good morning. we are from ukraine. last night they bombed and bombed and bombed. reporter: we are from ukraine, the opening line of his daily video has become famous. being on the front mind, his videos are watched all over the country. the governor is a close ally to

president zelenskyy. >>o get throughout the fence. so i don't think they have no forces to get through the fence for now, but for a couple of days at least. reporter: for now, pressure on the city has eased, in the priority is to restore water supplies. for three weeks now, that's in the city have run dry. >> we are fighting and overcoming all difficulties. we always hope for the best. i think hope for the future and optimism are probably characteristic traits of the ukrainian people. nothing can break us. new technologies in life. [laughter] neonate within the next week, the city administration has promised tapwater will be running again. brent: some other developments in the war in ukraine, the

european council president charles michel made a surprise visit to odessa. he met today with the ukrainian prime minister and toured the black seaport, with ships full of food that are not from expert. odessa has been the target of russian missile attacks. the russian ambassador to poland met today with loud protests at a victory day wreath-laying ceremony in warsaw and he was splattered by someone throwing red paint. the polish government paused in a large-scale commemoration and offered him little security. the ambassador has said he is proud of his country and his president. french president emmanuel macron is here in berlin, where he is promoting his idea for a new political union in the e.u. of 19 countries. macron has warned it could take decades for countries such as ukraine to qualify to join the e.u., and that a new bloc, kind

of like an in between bloc could blink -- bring them closer to the e.u. he joined german chancellor scholz at the iconic brandenburg gate, which is lit up in the colors of the ukrainian flag. the french president is visiting germany for the first time since his reelection. earlier, he was welcomed with military honors and -- at the chancellery. we asked our chief political editor about macron's proposal of the new the e.u.-lite possibility for states like ukraine. >> well, this debate about a two-tier european union is officially european union in itself, which used to be called european community. what emmanuel macron is proposing is a european political community that would allow ukraine to get closer to

the european union within a shorter timeframe than what he mapped out, and that was years, potentially decades. that is how long it has taken other countries to reach that level as well. also, he wants to open up space former countries, of which there is only one, post-brexit britain, to potentially move closer to the e.u. again. this was met with olaf scholz with the comment that it was an interesting idea to deal with the challenges that the e.u. currently has. so yes, there is a franco-german engine, the two leaders certainly had a lot to talk about, the details this evening. brent: the issues here are huge. obviously the focus is on ukraine. one of the effects of this war is the energy crisis in europe due to the dependency on russian fossil fuels. what was said about that today? guest: there was remarkably

little set about that. but what is clear is that the symbolism of the eating, the tradition that the newly elected president goes to germany first, the newly elected german chancellor goes to france first, is to highlight this special relationship that the solidarity is there in the face of dependency. left that's hinted -- -- olaf scholz hinted that that dependency might have been reduced. but one thing is for sure, for germany, it is mostly the fossil fuels, particularly gas. france, which heavily relies on nuclear fuel which germany is phasing out, that nuclear fuel is also coming from russia from a large part. so that will not recovered by sanctions. it just shows how limited the room for maneuver on that issue is, with olaf scholz defending europe, particularly german, moving too slow, saying that it will not help anybody if we are

hit harder than russia. and that is where europe is stark. brent: as always, thank you. the son of the former dictator ferdinand marcos has taken a commanding lead in the philippines presidential election with more than 80% of precincts reporting. ferdinand marcos jr. has more than twice as many votes as his main rival, leni robredo. news of his victory has sparked celebrations among his supporters. marcos jr. could not present a clear policy platform during the campaign -- i guess it did not matter. he is expected to provide continuity from the hard-line approach of his predecessor, rodrigo duterte. our correspondent says a new era is beginning in the philippines. >> it looks le we see history in the makinhere in southeast asia, with a marcos dentistry coming back to the seat of power

40 years after his father was ousted by a people's revolution. looks like his son, ferdinand marcos jr., will make it in this race. quite an historic moment for the philippines. he has teamed up with duterte's daughter and the concern by many particularly in the south of philippines, is that the authoritarian style of room that dute has used in the past six years, will worsen now under a marcos-duterte team approach, with the daughter of duterte being the vice president. when you talk to people, the concern is that whoever wins this race -- it has been such a divisive campaign that healing those wounds, bringing the people back together will be essential. that is one of marcos' key

promises. many of his supporters hope that he makes true on those promises. reporter: our correspondent reporting under philippines elections. other stories making headlines around the world, 43 people have been killed in clashes between rival gangs in the prison in corridor. some gathered to await news on their loved ones. police say they are taking control of the site in the city of santo domingo. they also seized firearms, explosions and other weapons. the turkish president has pledged not to send syrian refugees back to their home country. turkey has taken in more than 3.5 million syrians who fled the civil war. opposition parties in turkey have been pressuring oregon to start repatriating them. and the queen elizabeth will not attend this week's reopening of parliament. the queen has not missed the ceremony marking the start of the legislative year since, get

this, 1963. here is a reminder of the top story we are following for you this hour, vladimir putin praised russian forces fighting the war in ukraine and vowed to push on with the invasion. he spoke at the annual victory day parade in moscow marking the defeat of nancy germany. he accused western countries of provoking the attack this year on ukraine. after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. stick around. we will be right back. ♪

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host: welcome to life in paris, world news and analysis from france 24. marc: on mark owen, these are the headlines. vladimir putin compares his invasion of ukraine to the soviet struggle in world war ii. he was speaking at victory day in red square. elsewhere in russia, there were arrests and antiwar protest that of the moscow parade. emmanuel macron says it is obvious eu treaties need to be rewritten. he was speaking next to germany's olaf scholz. joe biden si