Russia will celebrate Victory Day on May 9, marking 80 years since the end of World War II, a moral and existential victory that the Kremlin wields to legitimize its present-day war against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “Great Patriotic War” narrative excludes Ukraine, which made huge sacrifices to the Soviet victory in terms of soldiers, the civilian population, and materials, while framing the war against Ukraine as one against neo-Nazis. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Serbian President Vucic, and People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping are among those who intend to attend Moscow Victory Day celebrations despite Russia’s war against Ukraine, signaling Russia’s partial diplomatic rehabilitation.
Russia Marks 80 Years Since the End of the Great Patriotic War – Jamestown
