A number of foreign leaders will arrive in Moscow for May 9 celebrations, Yury Ushakov has said
© Maxim Shipenkov/Pool Photo via AP
Foreign leaders and envoys from 29 countries will attend Russia’s Victory Day parade later this week in Moscow, presidential aide Yury Ushakov has announced. The May 9 event commemorates 80 years since the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
The international guests are also expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ushakov added. This year’s landmark celebrations will include a traditional military parade on Red Square.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic, Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico will be among the national leaders present, he confirmed to journalists on Tuesday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be among the visitors due to mounting tensions with Pakistan. However, New Delhi will still be represented by a high-level delegation.
Vucic is expected to attend the celebrations despite a recent health scare, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Sinisa Mali said on Monday. Officials in Brussels previously warned Vucic that his presence in Moscow would be held against Belgrade’s EU aspirations.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has also confirmed his attendance.
The celebration “is truly becoming a major international event serving as an indicator of Russia’s growing authority in the world,” Ushakov stated.
Among the EU leaders invited was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Budapest declined the invitation.
The US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, was also invited. However, according to Ushakov, she has not confirmed whether she will attend.
The Victory Day parade will feature military units from 13 countries, including China, Egypt, and Vietnam, among others, the aide said.
Veterans from several countries, including Armenia, Israel, Mongolia, and the US, are also expected to attend the parade.
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Last week, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky urged foreign leaders to avoid visiting Moscow, citing potential security risks. Russian officials accused Zelensky of endangering the safety of civilians attending the May 9 events. Slovakia’s Robert Fico dismissed the threats as “ridiculous.”