SCMP: EU diplomats mull skipping China military parade over Putin’s attendance

One of the past military parades in Beijing.
Photo: Xinhua

Post learns European missions in Beijing are especially troubled by Russian leader’s presence, ‘The South China Morning Post’ informs.

European envoys in Beijing are discussing plans to skip China’s massive military parade next month after considering the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the possible participation of Russian troops, the SCMP has learned.

According to five sources familiar with the matter, European missions in Beijing have been invited to the parade and events on the same day but are particularly troubled by the Russian leader’s attendance…

As the war in Ukraine drags on, some European diplomats were conflicted over being in the presence of “the same troops that invaded Ukraine”, one of them said, although there is no confirmation that Russian troops will take part.

The Kremlin in June said Putin would travel to China from August 31 to September 3 to take part in the rare military parade Beijing is staging to commemorate the end of World War II. He will also attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

The parade – poised to be only the second time China has held such an event commemorating the War’s end – will offer Beijing a chance to showcase its military’s combat capabilities and expanded global clout.

… European diplomats are conflicted over being in the presence of the Russian leader and Russian troops?! The EU is currently led by many direct descendants of high-ranking officials of the Hitler Reich. Most probably they are conflicted over the defeat by the Soviet Army and the Allies in 1945, and are reluctant to come to the Parade in honor of their defeat? And far-fetched reasons won't help here.

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