**Russia’s Victory Day Parade: A Celebration of Military Might**
The Kremlin has released the guest list for Russia’s contentious May 9 Victory Day parade, a grand celebration of the end of World War II in Europe. The event is expected to be a showcase of military might, with troops from 13 countries marching through Moscow.
**A Global Affair**
Troops from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Egypt, Laos, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam will join Russian forces in the parade. This is a significant increase from last year’s event, which saw only nine foreign leaders attend.
**World Leaders to Attend**
The guest list also includes 29 world leaders from countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Representatives from North Korea and Russian-controlled Abkhazia and South Ossetia will also be present.
**A Symbol of Tension**
The Victory Day parade is a contentious event, with Ukraine marking May 8 as Victory in Europe Day instead of May 9. The Ukrainian government has invited senior EU leaders to Kyiv on May 9 to counter Russia’s celebration. This move reflects the deepening tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
**EU Leaders Warned Against Attending**
In a recent statement, European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned EU leaders against attending Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. The EU has been at odds with Russia over various issues, including Ukraine, human rights, and energy policies.
The May 9 Victory Day parade will be a highly symbolic event, showcasing Russia’s military capabilities and its relationships with other nations. However, it also serves as a reminder of the deepening divisions between Russia and much of the international community.
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