Putin Hosts Moscow Victory Parade with Xi, Allied Troops Amid Ukraine War

Russia held its annual Victory Day military parade on May 9 in Moscow's Red Square, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, while also featuring modern drones used in the ongoing Ukraine war. President Vladimir Putin used the event to draw parallels between World War II and the current conflict in Ukraine, condemning Nazism and asserting Russia's role in combating it. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the parade alongside Putin, symbolizing strong Sino-Russian ties amid Western efforts to isolate Russia, while only a few other international leaders, including Brazil's president and Slovakia's prime minister, were present. Despite warnings from the European Commission that the parade serves as Russian propaganda to justify its invasion of Ukraine, the event showcased Russia's military strength and political alliances. North Korean military personnel attended as spectators, with Putin personally thanking them for their support, highlighting the growing alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang. However, some expected allies, such as India's prime minister and South Africa's president, were absent, preventing a complete display of Kremlin-friendly international solidarity.