Moscow (TDI): 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.
🗓 Today, Russia celebrates the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War with a grand military parade on the Red Square
The solemn event was held in honour of all those who gave their lives fighting Nazism & defeated Hitler’s machine of war#WeRemember pic.twitter.com/tTTNpuuDS7
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) May 9, 2025
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.
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Although, the Russian President did not directly name Ukraine during his speech, however, the use of “special military operation,” did refer to Russia’s war in Ukraine. He stated that “The whole country, society, and people support [it]. We are proud of their courage and determination.”
Both Russia and Ukraine have not updated their casualty numbers, but President Trump said that “hundreds of thousands of soldiers” have died on both sides.
Russia commemorates Victory Day with honor and pride every year, but this year’s parade in which 29 world leaders participated amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, appeared to be sending a signal to the European countries and the West, though indirectly, of Russia’s standing despite sanctions.
On Thursday, President Trump called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, stating that if the truce was not respected, then “the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions.”
The demand was made after the Russian President had announced a complete ceasefire from May 8 to May 10. However, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported that Russia had violated the ceasefire and continued its attacks on Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy also criticized the parade and stated, “It will be a parade of cynicism. There is just no other way to describe it. A parade of bile and lies.”
It is also important to note that the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland have announced to visit Kyiv to show solidarity, after the show of power by the Russian President during the Victory Day parade.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, Europe's Security, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
