Russia‘s President Vladimir Putin is ready to host the leaders of China, Brazil and different heads of states for festivities on Friday (May 9, 2025) marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Victory Day, which is widely known in Russia on May 9, has turn into the nation’s most vital secular vacation.
A large parade via Red Square and different ceremonies underline Moscow’s efforts to venture its energy and cement the alliances it has cast whereas in search of a counterbalance to the West amid the three-year-old struggle in Ukraine.
“For Mr. Putin, this day is important as a demonstration how broad a coalition backing Russia is,” political analyst Nikolai Petrov stated.
The lineup of leaders coming to Moscow contrasts sharply to some previous celebrations that drew prime Western leaders at a time of friendlier ties between Russia and the West.
The visitor checklist displays Russia’s priorities
Mr. Putin described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “our main guest” on the Victory Day festivities when he mentioned preparations for his go to with China’s Foreign Minister. The Russian chief famous that he and Mr. Xi are to focus on each bilateral and world points at their summit in Moscow.
Mr. Xi is coming for a four-day go to, and Mr. Putin’s overseas coverage advisor Yuri Ushakov stated they’d focus on commerce and Russia’s provide of oil and fuel to China, in addition to cooperation inside BRICS — the bloc of growing economies that originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa however has since expanded to extra international locations.
President Putin and President Xi have met greater than 40 instances and developed robust private ties to bolster their “strategic partnership” as they each face hovering tensions with the West.
China has supplied sturdy diplomatic assist to Moscow after the 2022 invasion and has emerged as a prime market for Russian oil and fuel, serving to fill the Kremlin’s struggle coffers. Russia additionally has relied on China as the primary supply of equipment and electronics to maintain its navy machine working after Western sanctions curtailed high-tech provides.
While Beijing has not offered weapons to use in Ukraine, it has backed the Kremlin diplomatically, blaming the West for threatening Russia’s safety. China additionally has strongly condemned Western sanctions in opposition to Moscow. Russia, in flip, has persistently voiced assist for Beijing on points associated to Taiwan.
Last month, Ukraine reported capturing two Chinese troopers who have been combating for Russia and claimed there have been greater than 150 others deployed alongside Moscow’s forces. Beijing disavowed any official involvement, saying it additionally advised its residents not to get entangled in overseas conflicts. Reports recommended the boys have been mercenaries who had answered on-line adverts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one other prime ally whom Mr. Putin has courted, had been anticipated in Moscow, however he cancelled his journey amid tensions with Pakistan after an assault wherein gunmen opened fireplace on vacationers in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Russia has been a serious defence provider for India for the reason that Cold War, and New Delhi’s significance as a key buying and selling associate for Moscow has grown for the reason that Kremlin despatched troops into Ukraine. Just like China, India has turn into a key purchaser of Russian oil following Western sanctions.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will even be in Moscow for Victory Day, his first official journey to Moscow for the reason that invasion of Ukraine. He twice visited Russia throughout his earlier tenure as President in 2003-2010.
Other indicators of world assist for the Kremlin
Other friends embody Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has overtly challenged the European Union’s insurance policies over Ukraine. Mr. Fico has shrugged off warnings from the EU’s prime diplomat, Kaja Kallas, in opposition to visiting Moscow, defiantly saying, “no person can order me the place to go or not to go.“ Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has additionally accepted an invite, his first journey to Russia for the reason that invasion. He stated he would not cancel the journey regardless of EU stress that visiting Moscow might derail Serbia’s ambitions to be part of the bloc. But he fell ailing throughout a visit to the U.S. final week, elevating questions on his journey to Russia. The Kremlin on May 6 introduced plans for Mr. Putin to have bilateral conferences with him and Mr. Fico on May 9.
Mr. Petrov stated attendance by European international locations regardless of EU stress demonstrates “that the Kremlin isn’t just in any sort of isolation but has quite powerful support not only in the Global South but also in the West”. The leaders of Cuba, Vietnam, Venezuela, and Burkina-Faso, plus the presidents of several former Soviet nations, are also expected.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the guest list at the festivities reflects the importance of the holiday. “It shows that Russia not only has allies, but a large number of countries that feel close to the spirit of our ideology and world vision,” he said.
Mr. Ushakov said on May 6 that leaders of 29 countries are expected to attend the parade, and Mr. Putin will hold more than 15 bilateral meetings. The Kremlin also invited U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy, although “whether she will be present at the parade, we will see on May 9,” Mr. Ushakov said. The State department didn’t confirm whether any of the U.S. officials would attend.
Past celebrations featured top Western leaders
When Russia’s ties with the West blossomed after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, many Western leaders attended Victory Day celebrations. In 1995, U.S. President Bill Clinton, British Prime Minister John Major, and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien were among the guests.
U.S. President George W. Bush attended the 2005 Victory Day parade along with the leaders of France, Germany and other Heads of States and German Chancellor Angela Merkel was on Red Square for the 2010 parade.
Ties with the West have been badly strained after Russia’s unlawful annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and the beginning of the battle in japanese Ukraine, where Moscow backed a separatist insurgency. Western leaders stopped coming to the event.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who this year upended Washington’s policy of isolating Russia over the war, hasn’t ruled out visiting Moscow someday, but will not be attending on May 9, 2025.
Published – May 07, 2025 04:34 pm IST
