Moscow : Russia celebrated the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II with a massive parade on Red Square on May 9. 29 world leaders joined the Russian President for the parade including the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
During the parade, President Vladimir Putin stood beside his long-time ally, President Xi, along with other veterans on a raised platform, beside Lenin’s mausoleum, where they watched the Russian troops marching past them.
According to the Kremlin, the attendance of Russian allies such as China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and leaders from Africa, Latin America, and Asia has shown that Moscow is not isolated on the world stage.
Russian President, in his speech, adopted both a firm stance as well as a reconciliatory tone towards the European countries when he highlighted the role of European allies in defeating Adolf Hitler.
He stated that Russia would never allow the attempts to belittle the Soviet Union’s decisive role against Nazi Germany, but that Russia also recognizes the role of Western countries in gaining that victory.
“We highly appreciate the contribution of the soldiers of the Allied armies, the members of the resistance, the courageous people of China, and all those who fought for a peaceful future to our common struggle,” the Russian President had said.
The parade included more than 11,500 troops, 1500 of whom had fought in Ukraine. The country also displayed its technological innovations during the parade, including drones, tanks, and intercontinental Yars missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
