‘The Independent’: Russia not only has allies, but a large number of countries that feel close to the spirit of Russian ideology and World vision

Military Parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Victory Day, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9, has become the country’s most important secular holiday. A massive parade through Red Square and other ceremonies underline Moscow’s efforts to project its power and cement the alliances it has forged while seeking a counterbalance to the West amid the 3-year-old war in Ukraine.

The lineup of leaders coming to Moscow this year contrasts sharply to some past celebrations that drew top Western leaders at a time of friendlier ties between Russia and the West, notes ‘The Independent’.

Putin described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “our main guest” at the Victory Day festivities when he discussed preparations for his visit with China’s foreign minister. The Russian leader noted that he and Xi are to discuss both bilateral and global issues at their summit in Moscow.

Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the guests at the Victory Day at Red Square. May 9, 2025.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Xi is coming for a four-day visit, and Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said they would discuss trade and Russia’s supply of oil and gas to China, as well as cooperation within BRICS — the bloc of developing economies that initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa but has since expanded to more countries.

Guard of Honour battalion of the People’s Liberation Army of China at the Parade.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is in Moscow for Victory Day, his first official trip to Moscow since the start of the SMO in Ukraine. He twice visited Russia during his previous tenure as president in 2003-10.

Other guests include Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has openly challenged the European Union's policies over Ukraine. Fico has shrugged off warnings from the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, against visiting Moscow, defiantly saying, “nobody can order me where to go or not to go.“

The guests at the Victory Day at Red Square. May 9, 2025.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic also has accepted an invitation, his first trip to Russia since the invasion. He said he wouldn’t cancel the trip despite EU pressure that visiting Moscow could derail Serbia's ambitions to join the bloc. But he fell ill during a trip to the U.S. last week, raising questions about his travel to Russia.

Attendance by European countries despite EU pressure demonstrates "that the Kremlin isn’t just in any sort of isolation but has quite powerful support not only in the Global South but also in the West.”

The leaders of Cuba, Vietnam, Venezuela and Burkina-Faso, plus presidents of several former Soviet nations, also are expected.

The guests at the Victory Day at Red Square. May 9, 2025.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the guest list at the festivities reflects the importance of the holiday. “It shows that Russia not only has allies, but a large number of countries that feel close to the spirit of our ideology and world vision,” he said.

The festivities have been overshadowed by reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and severe disruptions at all four of the capital's airports, with dozens of flights delayed or canceled, stranding hundreds of passengers.

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