Russia is preparing for the day of victory. 29 leaders will take part

It is expected that 29 world leaders will take part in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in World War II, scheduled for Friday in Moscow – said the Kremlin on Tuesday, quoted by the Reuters agency. Among the invited guests is the leader of China XI Jinping.

The anniversary celebrations will take place from 8 to 11 May, and the traditional annual military parade will pass through Czerwony Square in Moscow on May 9, celebrated in Russia as a day of victory.

Juri Ruszakow, adviser to the Russian leader Vladimir Putin, announced that in the parade – next to Russian soldiers, military vehicles and various types of weapons – there will also be military formations from 13 countries, including China.

Several American veterans of World War II will also take part in the event. Until now, it is not known whether representatives of the US authorities will appear, although the Kremlin sent an invitation to the United States Ambassador in Russia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published a statement on Tuesday, in which it called other countries to celebrate the victims of World War II and refrain from sending soldiers to the Moscow parade.

According to the media, Serbia President Aleksandar Vuczić and the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico are the only European leaderswho announced their participation in the Parade on the occasion of the Victory Day, which was met with severe criticism from the European Union. In the case of Vuczic, Brussels issued a warning, reminding that the visit of the Serbian president in Moscow violates the criteria for membership in the EU and potentially hurt the process of joining Serbia to the community. (PAP)

MZB/ Szm/