‘Parade of Pariahs’: On 80th WWII Victory Anniversary, Kremlin Will Flaunt Foreign Guests and Project a Win in Ukraine

When President Vladimir Putin addresses the military of Russia to mark 80 years since Nazi Germany surrendered to the Soviet Union, he won only to speak with his own country.

The Russian leader is expected to be the host of at least 29 foreign leaders, in much of other self -conflict and repressive regimes, in the extravagant military parade on Friday in the Red Square, which end years of relatively low shares due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin hopes to use a great participation as a sign for its adversaries that their efforts to isolate Russia about the invasion of Ukraine have failed, experts told Moscow Times.

Beyond this, he will use the show of the Victory Day commemorations to once again emphasize his narrative that Russia is fighting the same war against Nazism in Europe and the West who fought during World War II and that he stops nothing to win.

“The Kremlin plans to use the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany to draw parallels with today [and say that] The victory is equally inevitable, “said Boris Bondarev, a former diplomat of Russia’s mission to the UN in Geneva, to the Moscow Times.

“The most important thing, like Yalta and Potsdam shaped the order of the postwar period, [the Kremlin will say] We expect a new world order after the war in Ukraine, a “fair” in the eyes of Russia, which means that Russia can do whatever it is with zero consequences, “said Bondarev, who resigned to protest the invasion of full scale.

But unlike Yalta and Potsdam, or the 60th anniversary victory day parade in 2005, when leaders from the United States, France and Germany attended, Russia is now alienated by the allies who shared in their triumph of the world II.

Serbia bosses, as well as in the EU and the NATO member, Slovakia, will be the only European leaders present in this year’s celebration.

“We failed to gather the participants of the Anti-Hitler allies, and that says,” said a high-ranking Russian diplomat to The Moscow Times, speaking in a condition of anonymity to speak frankly about a political issue.

The leaders of each ancient Soviet nation, except Ukraine, Georgia and the Baltic states, are scheduled, as well as the heads of the Georgian regions of Abjasia and South Ossetia.

Leaders from Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Myanmar, Papua Nueva Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe also attend.

“It is important that [Brazilian President] Lula comes. The presence of Central Asia leaders is important, which was known in advance, “said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Eurasia Russia Carnegie center in Berlin.

“The interesting thing is if some of the US will come and at what level. The fact that there are no Europeans: it is clear that this is a confrontation and a correct evaluation that Russia is undoubtedly using the parade for national and foreign policy Moscow Times.

Despite the deep ties of Russia and India in recent years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected Moscow’s invitation to the May 9 parade.

Modi probably did it to avoid a face to face with the XI of China in the middle of the Growing tensions In the territory played by Kashmira, where Beijing supports Pakistan, said the Russian diplomat.

“Modi is jealous of our ties with China and was surprised to know that XI would be the main guest of the parade,” said the diplomat. “He is not anxious to meet Xi at this time, especially in Moscow, given the axis of China-Pakistan and the new bookstrobing out.”

Even XI, the closest ally of Putin among the world’s main powers, attends largely as a “symbolic” gesture, said an independent Russian political analyst who asked not to be named.

“The only real sample of solidarity comes from China and some postsovietic neighbors, but do not have many options,” said the analyst. “Maintaining good relations with an unpredictable Russia is a matter of pragmatism. Even China’s participation is more symbolic than sincere.”

The idea of ​​Russia’s international isolation is “a long time ago,” said Bondarev.

“Comrade XI continues to visit Moscow. Putin also travels. He is in the leg to North Korea, admitting summits. Trump occasionally destroys the isolation narrative, and Witkoff is constantly in Russia,” he said. “Lavrov and its deputies are everywhere. Only Kirill Dmitriev got used to the United States despite being personally sanctioned. So stop repeating the myth. Cluse the real image.”

Nationally, Victory Day has a significantly emotional weight and a unifying potential for the Russians, said anonymous analyst. As the Putin regime became more powerful in recent decades, the Kremlin co -opted the resonance of the holidays to reinforce public loyalty, and this co -pting will be exhibited on Friday.

“[Putin] The cash claimed it for itself, taking control of the national narrative and even the traditional rituals, such as the immortal regiment, “he said.

“Victory is sacred and beyond reproach, which means criticizing it, or is not out of the limits. For an autocrat, May 9 is not just another opportunity, it is a crucial opportunity to show around it and reinforce it.”

At the same time, the anonymous political expert said the Russians will find little to celebrate on Friday’s parade in the Red Square.

“This is not overcoming the isolation. And the holidays are divided into the nation, since many see the celebrations such as Putin’s personal project, not as May 9 in its usual and usual meaning,” said anonymous political expert.

“What have to do with Myanmar’s marching troops or Burkina Faso’s guests with our victory?”