{"id":16983,"date":"2025-05-10T13:38:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T17:38:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journee-mondiale.com\/en\/29-world-leaders-witness-russias-victory-day-parade-amid-ukraine-conflict\/"},"modified":"2025-05-10T13:38:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T17:38:44","slug":"29-world-leaders-witness-russias-victory-day-parade-amid-ukraine-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journee-mondiale.com\/en\/29-world-leaders-witness-russias-victory-day-parade-amid-ukraine-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"29 world leaders witness Russia’s victory day parade amid Ukraine conflict"},"content":{"rendered":"

Moscow’s iconic Red Square transformed into a display of military might as Russia marked the 80th anniversary of its World War II victory on May 9, 2025. This year’s Victory Day parade<\/strong> unfolded amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, attracting an unusual mix of global leaders while highlighting deepening geopolitical divides. The event served as a powerful statement on Russia’s diplomatic positioning despite Western isolation attempts.<\/p>\n

Global leaders in attendance: A symbolic statement<\/h2>\n

In a notable diplomatic showing, 29 world leaders gathered in Moscow for the celebrations, a significant increase from previous years. Chinese President Xi Jinping<\/strong> headlined the guest list, making his second visit to Russia since 2023 and underscoring the strengthening Beijing-Moscow alliance. Brazil’s Lula da Silva and Venezuela’s Nicol\u00e1s Maduro also attended, reflecting Russia’s ongoing influence in parts of Latin America.<\/p>\n

“This year’s international attendance demonstrates Russia’s continued relevance on the global stage despite Western sanctions,” notes Dr. Elena Volkova, international relations expert at Moscow State University. “The parade has evolved from a historical commemoration into a powerful tool of geopolitical messaging<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Europe’s conspicuous absence<\/h2>\n

European representation was notably sparse, with only Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 in attendance. Their presence stood in stark contrast to the EU’s general position, with most European nations marking Victory in Europe Day on May 8 instead, aligning with Ukraine.<\/p>\n

The geopolitical tensions<\/a> surrounding the event have created diplomatic ripples comparable to fault lines before an earthquake \u2013 subtle yet potentially consequential for European unity.<\/p>\n

Military spectacle with Ukraine undertones<\/h2>\n

The parade featured over 11,000 Russian soldiers, including 1,500 servicemen who had fought in what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine. Like a chess player carefully arranging pieces before a critical move, Russia used the military display<\/strong> to project strength while emphasizing historical continuity.<\/p>\n

Key elements of the military showcase included:<\/p>\n