MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday proclaimed assurance of triumph in Ukraine as he directed a military parade on Red Square to honor the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II - an event absent heavy weapons for the first time in almost 20 years.

Security remained intense in Moscow with Putin and assorted foreign leaders present for the reduced parade, which unfolded without incident due to a U.S.-arranged three-day truce that diminished fears of Ukrainian disruptions.

In power for more than 25 years, Putin harnesses Victory Day - Russia's premier secular holiday - to exhibit military prowess and build backing for the Ukraine operation, now in its fifth year.

Addressing parade participants, Putin saluted troops in Ukraine for battling "an aggressive foe armed and backed by NATO's full alliance," portraying their mission as righteous.

"Victory belongs to us, as it always has and always will," Putin declared, with troop formations filling Red Square.

To journalists afterward, he charged Western "globalist elites" with deploying Ukraine to dismantle Russia, asserting, "I sense the end is near."

This year brought a stark change: no tanks, missiles or heavy gear - staples since 2008 - save the ritual jet flyover.

Officials cited the "current operational context" and Ukrainian strike risks for the format shift. Moscow restricted mobile internet and texting Saturday. Putin later told reporters the weaponry stayed at Ukraine front lines.

For the first time, North Korean soldiers joined the march, acknowledging their aid to Russian forces repelling a Ukrainian thrust into the Kursk region.

Earlier Truces Faltered Until Trump Intervened

Russia issued a unilateral ceasefire for Friday-Saturday, as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set one from May 6, but both crumbled under accusations of persistent strikes.

Event security fears lifted Friday when U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed Russia and Ukraine accepted his ceasefire from Saturday through Monday plus prisoner swap, calling it possibly "the beginning of the end" for the war.

Zelenskyy, who warned of drones over Red Square on May 9, backed Trump's call by barring strikes there and wryly greenlighting Russia's festivities, which the Kremlin brushed off as "childish jest."

Post-parade, Putin revealed Trump proposed the truce after Russia alerted the U.S. to plans for a huge missile assault on Kyiv's heart - with civilian risks - if Ukraine targeted the event.

"We briefed partners: No desire to strain ties, yet Kyiv's control hubs sit near diplomatic posts," Putin explained. "In U.S. talks, we flagged risks to their embassy and requested safeguards."

Russia embraced Trump's humanitarian-driven offer, tied to mutual respect for the anti-Nazi victory.

Putin wields Victory Day to ignite patriotism and affirm Russia's global stature. The Soviet Union's 27 million dead in the 1941-45 Great Patriotic War etched enduring trauma, uniting a fractured Soviet legacy.

Putin Open to Zelenskyy Summit for Peace Signing

Russia's larger, superior army advances steadily across the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front. Ukraine retaliates via potent long-range hits on energy sites, factories and depots, wielding drones reaching 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) into Russia - beyond 2022 limits.

Zelenskyy suggested Putin talks but spurned Moscow. Saturday, Putin said a neutral venue works, but only to seal a full peace pact.

"A third-country meeting is viable, post a durable treaty's completion," Putin told reporters. "It demands finality, not talks."

Putin Applauds Guests; Merz Slams Fico Visit

Present were Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin praised their "personal valor" in coming before Trump's truce eased tensions.

Slovak PM Robert Fico, from the EU, placed wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Kremlin walls but skipped Red Square. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced it, vowing talks with Fico.

During Kremlin meeting, Fico lamented Europe's new "Iron Curtain" blocking trade and highlighted Russia's energy for Slovakia. Putin lauded Fico's sovereign policy and Red Army homage.