World NewsWorld leaders gather in Moscow for 80th Victory Day parade

World leaders gather in Moscow for 80th Victory Day parade

The Kremlin reported that 29 world leaders are expected to participate in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. These events are scheduled for Friday in Moscow. Among those invited are Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Images source: © PAP | PAP/EPA/VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL

What you need to know

        
  • On May 9, large Victory Day celebrations will take place in Moscow.
  • Military formations from 13 countries, including China, will parade through the city.
  • Among the invited guests are two leaders from Europe: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The anniversary celebrations will occur from May 8 to 11. The traditional annual military parade will march through Red Square in Moscow on May 9, a day celebrated in Russia as Victory Day.

Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, reported that in addition to Russian soldiers, military vehicles, and various types of weaponry, military formations from 13 countries, including China, will appear in the parade.

Several American World War II veterans are also expected to participate. It remains unclear whether representatives from the U.S. government will attend, although the Kremlin has invited the U.S. ambassador in Russia.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday urging countries to honor the victims of World War II in a dignified manner and to refrain from sending soldiers to the Moscow parade.

Slovak Prime Minister and Serbian President in Moscow

According to media reports, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico are the only European leaders who have announced their participation in the Victory Day parade. This decision has faced strong criticism from the European Union.

In Vucic's case, Brussels issued a warning that the Serbian president’s visit to Moscow violates EU membership criteria and could potentially harm Serbia’s accession process to the Union.

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