Leaders of two countries refused to travel to Moscow for the Victory Parade. Putin's aide explained the reasons
The leaders of two countries refused to participate in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. This was announced on Wednesday, May 7, by Russian Presidential Aide for International Affairs Yuri Ushakov, answering a question from Kremlin Pool correspondent Alexander Yunashev.
Ushakov clarified that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Laos, Ilham Aliyev and Thongloun Sisoulith, will not attend the Victory Parade in Moscow.
Russia explained the reasons for the refusal of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Laos to travel to Moscow
Thus, the head of the Transcaucasian republic explained his refusal to participate in the ceremonial events on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow by the need to participate in domestic events dedicated to his father, Heydar Aliyev, Ushakov said. The President of Laos, in turn, was unable to fly to Moscow to celebrate Victory Day due to illness - he was diagnosed with coronavirus.
State Duma Deputy Svetlana Zhurova, commenting on the decision of the President of Azerbaijan not to go to Moscow on May 9, urged not to try to see a conspiracy theory in this event. She shared this opinion in a conversation with Lenta.ru. According to her, his presence in the country is necessary to raise patriotic spirit and participate in domestic events.
"Of course, we immediately begin to see a conspiracy theory in this. At the same time, maybe he is going to hold his own parades, his own events related to May 9," the deputy said.
27 foreign leaders are expected in Moscow
A few days earlier, Ushakov announced that 29 foreign leaders would be present at the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9. Thus, after Aliyev and Sisuli refused to participate in the ceremonial events on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the heads of 27 states are expected to arrive in the Russian capital.
The leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, Vietnam, Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe, China, Congo, Cuba, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine, Serbia, Slovakia, Equatorial Guinea, and Ethiopia have confirmed their presence at the Victory Parade in Moscow. The leaders of seven neighboring countries will arrive at the Victory Parade: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The heads of the partially recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia are also expected to attend.
In addition, Russia sent an invitation to the Victory Parade to the US Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy. Whether she will attend the parade will be known on May 9.
Heads of state have begun arriving in Moscow
Leaders of countries invited to celebrate Victory Day have begun arriving in Moscow. Thus, the head of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the leader of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, the President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obian Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez are already in Russia.
The President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic has also arrived in Russia. On the way to Moscow, his plane made an emergency landing in Baku. Serbian media reported that the flight was deemed unsafe due to the closure of Moscow airports. However, information then appeared that the landing in Baku was planned - it was needed for refueling.
Before the visit, Vučić reported pressure being exerted on him because of his intention to attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9. Despite this, he still arrived in Moscow. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico also reported threats because of his decision to visit the Russian capital on May 9. However, Slovak MP Jan Richter assured that the prime minister did not abandon his plans because of this.
... Niin tottahan toki, kyllähän bunkkerivanhuksella kiirettä pitää niin juhlavalmisteluissa kuin Moskovan ilmapuolustuksen järjestelyissä, venäjän talouden ja Kurskin rintamatilanteen vakauttamisesta, Tshetsenian johtajan eroanomuksen käsittelyssä, Kertshin sillan suojaamisessa ym. asiakirjojen parissa työskentelyssä
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