Some observers saw it as a symbolic deadline.
But Russia is not seeking to end the war in Ukraine on May 9, celebrated as Victory Day, its foreign minister has insisted.
"Our military will not artificially adjust their actions to any date, including Victory Day," Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Italian TV Mediaset broadcast on Sunday.
Celebrated every year in Russia, this date commemorates May 9, 1945 and the surrender of the Nazis to the Allies, including the Soviet Union.
“The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, above all, on the need to minimize possible risks for the civilian population and the Russian military,” he added.
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Russia usually commemorates Victory Day with great fanfare, with a large military parade through central Moscow and a speech by President Vladimir Putin.
The Head of State salutes on this occasion, the leading role played by the country in the defeat of fascism in Europe.
Thousands of civilians killed in Ukraine
But this year's celebrations will take place against the backdrop of Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, which Vladimir Putin has justified by saying, among other things, that the former Soviet republic must be "denazified" and making other allusions to World War II. .
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War in Ukraine: Vladimir Putin has the date of May 9 in the sights
“We will solemnly celebrate May 9, as we always do.
Let us remember those who fell for the liberation of Russia and other republics of the former USSR, for the liberation of Europe from the Nazi scourge,” Sergei Lavrov said.
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Thousands of civilians have been killed in Ukraine and millions displaced by the Russian invasion, which began on February 24.
Moscow has announced an official death toll of a thousand soldiers.
Ukraine claims that Russia's losses are much higher.