Russia Flaunts Military Might and Historical Narrative at Victory Day Parade
Soviet Union commemorates Victory over Nazi Germany in grand military display - Russia commemorates the triumph over Nazi Germany's forces with a grand military display.
Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Russia hosted a grand military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2025. The event, held on Red Square and attended by nearly 30 world leaders, was a spectacle of military might, political posturing, and historical remembrance.
- Moscow
- World War II
- Victory Day
- Red Square
- Global Leaders
The Event's Significance
Victory Day, for the Russians, signifies the heroism and sacrifice that characterized their struggle against Nazi Germany. President Vladimir Putin's speech during the parade emphasized the significance of the Soviet role in the war, denouncing modern attempts to rewrite history and rehabilitate Nazi collaborators. By drawing parallels between past and present, Putin portrayed Russia's ongoing military operations as a continuation of the fight against aggression and Nazism.
The parade served multiple purposes: commemorating the Great Patriotic War, showcasing Russia's global relevance amid Western sanctions, and asserting Russia's historical narrative in a geopolitical context.
European Presence
The attendance of only a few European leaders, such as Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić and Slovakia's Robert Fico, highlights the EU's reluctance to engage with the parade. Many EU countries, impeded by ongoing conflict in Ukraine and broader tensions with Russia, have largely distanced themselves from the event. Some last-minute cancellations from neighboring countries underscore the EU's political distancing from Russia's narrative and military actions.
China's Role
China played a key role in Russia's commemorations, with President Xi Jinping attending the parade. China's participation signifies its strategic partnership with Russia, founded on mutual respect for World War II history and shared opposition to what they perceive as Western attempts to politicize historical events. China's attendance reinforces its support for Russia's interpretation of the WWII legacy and highlights broader international solidarity among non-Western powers.
Russia and China regularly commemorate their WWII histories through reciprocal attendance at major parades, underscoring their commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation. China's role in the commemoration strengthens a unified stance against Western narratives while promoting peace and development within a sphere potentially aligned against Western influence.
- The military parade in Moscow celebrated the 80th anniversary of Russia's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, with the event taking place on Red Square.
- President Vladimir Putin used his speech during the parade to criticize modern attempts to rewrite history and rehabilitate Nazi collaborators, while drawing parallels between past and present to justify Russia's ongoing military actions.
- The EU's presence at the parade was limited to a few countries, such as Serbia and Slovakia, due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine and broader tensions with Russia.
- China's president, Xi Jinping, attended the parade, which highlighted China's strategic partnership with Russia and shared opposition to what they perceive as Western attempts to politicize historical events.
