“The Kremlin stated that they expect over 20 international leaders to attend this year’s Victory Day military parade on May 9, which marks 80 years since Germany’s defeat in World War II, despite warnings coming from Brussels, reports Agerpres.
“We are happy to see all those who are ready to celebrate this grand event with us,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of the event.
Peskov criticized the rhetoric of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who warned EU leaders not to participate in the Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square. In a press conference on Monday at the meeting of foreign ministers from the bloc in Luxembourg, Kallas explained that European leaders’ participation in the parade in the Russian capital would not be seen as a minor matter, given Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Moscow sees Kallas’ harsh statements as wrong,” Peskov said.
Along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have confirmed their attendance at the military parade. Both countries are seeking to join the European Union.
“We have made it clear that we do not want any candidate state to take part in the events on May 9 in Moscow,” Kallas emphasized.
Pashinyan’s participation was reaffirmed by Yerevan following the warning from Brussels.
“It is also our victory; 300,000 Armenians died for the victory,” said Armenian parliament president Alen Simonyan, adding that Pashinyan’s visit to Moscow has nothing to do with the EU.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, as well as Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, also announced their intention to participate. “