PEKIN — president Chin Xi Jinping went on a journey to Moscow today. The intent of his visit will be to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the end of planet War II. The Russian side has announced that the president of China is arriving at the ceremony as an "honorary guest"
The anniversary celebrations of triumph Day on May 9, Moscow will be attended by leaders from around 20 countries. This is the highest number of abroad guests in the Russian capital since the invasion of Ukraine
Russian president Vladimir Putin seems to be taking advantage of the chance to invitation abroad leaders to Moscow as part of a demonstration of unity against Western states. The most crucial of these will be China's president Xi Jinping.
Russia invited leaders of the erstwhile russian republics, BRICS associate states and African countries to celebrate triumph Day. According to Russian media, they are expected to participate in the ceremony and parade.
Countries participating in the ceremony keep friendly relations with Russia, mostly distancing themselves from western sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
On May 4, the Chinese Ministry of abroad Affairs announced that Xi would visit Russia on May 7-10. He will attend the triumph Day ceremony, but is besides scheduled to hold talks at Vladimir Putin.
On 30 April, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Pieskov reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not attend the ceremony. The reason for the cancellation of the visit is the increase in tension between India and Pakistan. India is to represent Moscow's defence minister, Rajnath Singh.
In May 2022, shortly after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, no abroad leader took part in the celebration of triumph Day in Moscow. In 2023 7 leaders of the erstwhile russian republics participated. In 2024, guests from Cuba and Laos besides joined by expanding the number of leaders to nine.
The number of leaders joining this year is expected to be the same as in 2015, erstwhile Russia celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.
Putin announced a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire with Ukraine from May 8 to 11. According to reports from Ukrainian media, the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski plans to reject them.
Putin seems to search to link Russia's triumph celebrations over Nazi Germany with the invasion of Ukraine. Speaking on 29 April in Volgograd, the site of the fierce conflict of Stalingrad during planet War II, Putin said, “The Day of triumph is 1 of our most crucial and holiest holidays.”
In the military parade on the occasion of the triumph Day, which is traditionally held in Red Square, the typical company of the People's Liberation Army of China is to take part.
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
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