NewsWorld leaders gather in Moscow amid global tensions

World leaders gather in Moscow amid global tensions

It is expected that 29 world leaders will participate in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, scheduled for Friday in Moscow, the Kremlin reported. Among the invited guests 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
Adam Zygiel

What do 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 take place from May 8 to 11, and the traditional annual military parade will march through Red Square in Moscow on May 9, celebrated in Russia as Victory Day.

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

Several American World War II veterans are also expected to participate in the event. It's still unknown whether representatives of the US government will attend, although the Kremlin sent an invitation to the US ambassador in Russia.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday, urging other countries to honour 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, which has been met with strong criticism from the European Union.

In the case of Vucic, Brussels issued a warning, reminding 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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