Putin, Xi, and Allies Mark Russia’s Victory Day at Moscow Parade

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin commemorates Russia's Victory Day, surrounded by prominent international allies, as he watches thousands of troops march through Moscow’s iconic Red Square.

This year’s Victory Day celebrations mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II, a significant moment in Russia's history. Victory Day, traditionally held on May 9, has long been a time to honor the memory of the 25 million to 27 million Soviet soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the conflict.

However, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Victory Day has increasingly become a platform for Putin’s political messaging, positioning the war against Ukraine as an extension of the "Great Patriotic War," as the conflict is referred to in Russia. While past years saw subdued observances, this year’s festivities are grander, with high-profile international guests, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

These leaders’ presence marks a notable shift from last year's parade, which was attended mainly by delegations from former Soviet republics and a few other nations. Putin's Victory Day agenda includes celebrating Russia’s military strength while boosting its diplomatic stature.

In the lead-up to the event, Putin had announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire to coincide with the anniversary. However, Ukraine swiftly dismissed the offer, calling it a political maneuver designed to ensure the parade's smooth execution. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, called the ceasefire proposal “not about peace, but about ensuring the safe conduct of the parade in Moscow.”

Ukraine remains firm in its stance, insisting that Russia should accept the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv has already agreed to. However, Russia has consistently rejected this offer despite multiple talks with U.S. officials. Ukraine claims that Russia has violated the ceasefire repeatedly, with civilians killed and injured in airstrikes against Ukrainian cities.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has made it clear it will not concern itself with facilitating the smooth conduct of Putin’s parade. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not play along to allow Putin to emerge from international isolation on May 9.

Ahead of the celebrations, Ukraine launched several drone strikes on Moscow, resulting in the temporary closure of all four airports serving the Russian capital. The parade was further complicated by the actions of the Baltic states, as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania closed their airspaces to diplomatic flights heading to Moscow. This forced several pro-Kremlin leaders to alter their flight routes.

Latvia’s Foreign Ministry explained its decision, stating that Russian propaganda and the glorification of war crimes could not be supported. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, one of the affected leaders, criticized the airspace closures as “extremely disruptive.” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, another leader impacted by the restrictions, rerouted his flight through Azerbaijan after the Baltic states blocked his entry.

Despite these challenges, Putin’s Victory Day celebrations will proceed as planned, with the event serving as a display of Russia's resilience in the face of both international opposition and internal military conflict.