Massive Victory Day Celebration Occurs in Moscow Despite Ongoing Conflict with Ukraine
Headline: EU's Rebellious Stance: The Lone Wolves of Moscow's 2025 Parade
Tags: Xi Jinping, Slovakia, Russia, China, Moscow, Serbia, Victory Day
Hold onto your hats, folks, because we're diving headfirst into the European Union's inner workings. In 2025, a daring few decided to steer their own course when it came to international diplomacy, causing quite a stir at Russia's Victory Day Parade.
On a calendrical plain where Mother Russia salutes her glorious history, the Victory Day Parade in Moscow is the star of the show. Celebrated on May 9th, this national holiday is a momentous occasion, with a grandiose military parade on Red Square. Yet, amid Russia's ongoing conflicts with Ukraine, its image as a dominant global player was put to the test.
Insights: In 2022, the Victory Day Parade was a decidedly lonely affair for Russia, as no EU leaders attended the event following intense international condemnation over its invasion of Ukraine in early that year[3]. However, in 2025, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico surprised the world by bucking that trend, making him the lone EU leader to attend the parade that year, drawing both praise and criticism[1][4].
Fico, a known critic of the EU's Ukraine policies, brushed off warnings from the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, saying he wouldn't be bullied into where he could and couldn't travel[4]. Meanwhile, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić visited Russia earlier in the week but was advised to tread carefully if he wished to see Serbia join the EU[2].
Putin, ever the political showman, had meetings lined up with both Fico and Vučić[1]. As for China's President Xi Jinping, he was among the most high-profile international guests[1]. In addition, representatives from Vietnam, Burkina-Faso, and several former Soviet nations also graced the event[1].
A Closer Look: Amid the pageantry, Putin took time to honor Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, proudly lauding their courage and determination[1]. He even shared a warm embrace with senior North Korean officers who attended the parade, thanking them for fighting alongside Russian troops against Ukrainian forces[1].
Needless to say, Russia's ongoing conflicts with Ukraine and its international standing have caused a rift, earning it the status of a pariah state in the eyes of the West[1]. Yet, with leaders like Fico holding their ground, the EU's rebellious stance continues to challenge the tide.
Read more:- Putin welcomes Xi as 'main guest' for Victory Day as Russia and China boost ties- Europe must plan for a post-Putin Russia, Austria's Chancellor Stocker tells our website- Where is China's Xi Jinping going next?- European leaders at odds over Russia’s Ukraine deal- Slovakia in isolation over Fico's Moscow visit
- In an unexpected turn of events, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, despite facing opposition from the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, defiantly attended the 2025 Victory Day Parade in Moscow.
- As the 2025 Moscow Victory Day Parade unfolded amid Russia's intensifying war-and-conflicts with Ukraine, the politics surrounding the event drew international attention, with Putin meeting with both Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia and President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia.
- China's President Xi Jinping was among the high-profile international guests at the 2025 Victory Day Parade, an event that illustrated the strengthening political ties between Moscow and Beijing.
- In the face of general-news warnings and international condemnation, the 2025 Victory Day Parade in Moscow marked a significant moment in politics, as Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, amid criticisms over EU policies, chose to attend the event.
