If a US guest attends this year, it is likely to be someone from or connected to the incoming Trump administration. Then-US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien traveled to Moscow in 2020 to attend the festivities. US officials at the time said that Donald Trump, who was serving his first term as president, had to come under pressure from his advisers not to go.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already begun initial preparations for his annual Victory Day military parade in May and he is expecting a special guest from the United States for the big day, a Kremlin insider said. On May 9, Russia celebrates Victory Day, which is the annual commemoration of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory Day celebrations. Putin usually uses the day to showcase Russia’s military might and invites foreign leaders to a parade in Moscow’s Red Square.
ANNUAL PARADE
If a US guest attends this year, it is likely to be someone from or connected to the incoming Trump administration. Then-US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien traveled to Moscow in 2020 to attend the festivities. US officials at the time said that Donald Trump, who was serving his first term as president, had to come under pressure from his advisers not to go.
American officials have not attended in recent years because of the ongoing war that Russia launched against Ukraine in February 2022. A source close to the Kremlin told Meduza, an independent Russian newspaper, that Putin is expecting a “big guest” from the US on May 9. The source did not provide details on who the official might be, but said Trump himself “would be fantastic.” Trump has vowed to end the conflict when he takes office, but has suggested that concessions need to be made by both Russia and Ukraine.
PUTIN’S PLANS
Putin held a meeting on Wednesday to kick off preparations for Victory Day, urging heads of Russian Regions and public organizations to approach upcoming events with a conscience. Even though he is a suspected war criminal, Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a show in which he will be portrayed as the leader of the country that brought peace to the world, at least for a day. Specifically, on Wednesday, January 15, Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the committee for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
He urged Regional leaders and public organizations to “consider the upcoming events conscientiously” and added that “formalism and a race for numbers are absolutely unacceptable. Commemoration is first and foremost about concrete deeds,” Putin stressed, without specifying exactly what “deeds” he meant. A Kremlin source said it was clear that Russia needed to trumpet some kind of victory over the ongoing war in Ukraine, but officials were unsure of the details. Another Kremlin source said Victory Day celebrations would be modest this year, as Russia has overspent on its war effort and cannot afford a large-scale celebration.
“SPECIAL GUEST”
Russia’s military spending has quadrupled since the start of the war in Ukraine, and the total money spent so far could be significantly higher than officially reported figures, according to Craig Kennedy, a former investment banker at Morgan Stanley. North Korean soldiers will take part in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, marking the first such instance in history, Japanese broadcaster NHK World reported, citing undisclosed Russian sources.
Since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has deepened its diplomatic and military ties with North Korea. Last fall, Pyongyang sent troops to the Russian Kursk Region to bolster Moscow’s efforts against a Ukrainian incursion. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced on January 15 that troops from 19 “friendly” countries have been invited to the Victory Day parade. NHK sources said dozens of North Korean personnel are expected to take part in the commemoration of the victory in World War II.
