Lavrov: Russia aims to end war on May 9th

Speaking to the Italian media media media, he said Moscow would not rush to complete the so-called “special military operation” by this date.

Nine May marks the handover of Nazi Germany in front of Allied forces including the then Soviet Union in 1945.

Our military will not artificially adapt its actions around no date, including Victory Day”, Lavrov said.

The operation in Ukraine depends, above all, on the need to minimize any risks to the civilian population and Russian military personnel”, he added.

Russia usually marks Victory Day with a major military parade in downtown Moscow and with a speech by President Vladimir Putin, welcoming his country's leading role in defeating fascism in Europe.

But this year's celebrations come under the shadow of Ukraine's Russian occupation, which Putin has justified with claims that his neighbour should be “identified” and “demilitarised” to save the Russian-speaking population there.

Thousands of civilians have been killed and millions have been displaced from Ukraine since Russia began its invasion on 24 February.

Russia has said that over a thousand of its soldiers have been killed, but Ukraine claims Russia's losses are much greater.

The West has strongly condemned Moscow's move and has taken a series of sanctions against it, while Kiev is helping with weapons.