May 9th marked the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia also celebrated their version of Victory Day - an event steeped in national pride and symbolism - with a military parade in Red Square in front of an audience which included 29 visiting world leaders.
As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe were watching closely to see if President Putin would offer a different message this year after resisting White House efforts to secure a ceasefire so far.
In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, we explore Russia's recent Victory Day celebrations. We review the increased attendance of foreign leaders at this year's military parade in Moscow as well as key moments from President Putin's speech.
We also examine the growing alignment between China and Russia, including Xi Jinping's attempt to connect the Victory Day commemoration to what he calls "the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return" to China.
And finally, we unpack how this year's events are being interpreted across Europe and beyond, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing international calls for a ceasefire.
Date of Recording: May 12th, 2025
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| Russian leader Vladimir Putin and guest of honor, Chinese leader Xi Jinping oversee the Victory Day parade in Red Square, Moscow on May 9th. |
DIVE DEEPER:
Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:
- EU High Representative Kaja Kallas' statement in Lviv, Ukraine - EU Debates via YouTube (May 9th, 2025)
- Who Joined Putin in Moscow to Celebrate Victory Day - Andrew Barnett and Thomas Grove, The Wall Street Journal (May 9th, 2025)
- Putin Parades China, North Korea Ties in Victory Day Show of Force - Thomas Grove, The Wall Street Journal (May 9th, 2025)
- Russia hosts leaders of over 20 countries - including one EU member - at Victory Day parade - AFP via The Journal.ie (May 9th, 2025)
- European leaders attending Russia parade 'bring shame' on themselves, Tusk says - as it happened - Tom Ambrose and Jakub Krupa, The Guardian (May 9th, 2025)
- Macron, Tusk slam leaders attending Putin's Victory Day Parade - Clea Caulcutt, Politico (May 9th, 2025)
- Russia's Victory Day parade felt more like a celebration of war than peace - Ivor Bennett, Sky News (May 9th, 2025)
- Taiwan faces similar threat to Europe in 1930s, President says - Amy Hawkins, The Guardian (May 8th, 2025)
- 'Friends of steel': Xi and Putin pledge to stand together against US - The Irish Times (May 8th, 2025)
- The Irish Independent's view: Eighty years on from World War II, a worrying new order is emerging - Editorial, Irish Independent (May 10th, 2025)
- Signs of EU-China reset intensify as Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow for Victory Day - Jorge Liboreiro, Euronews (May 7th, 2025)
- Zelenskyy hopes for truce, says he'll meet Putin 'personally' in Turkiye - Aljazeera (May 11th, 2025)
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