Three European leaders accept Putin's invitation

On Friday, 29 heads of government are expected in Moscow for the celebration of the victory over Nazi Germany, 80 years ago. Three European leaders will also attend Victory Day in Russia.

As early as April, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, had already stated that EU presence in Moscow on 9 May was particularly undesirable. However, three European leaders will be present at the large military parade on Moscow's Red Square.

Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the EU member state Slovakia, Aleksandar Vucic, President of candidate member Serbia, and Milorad Dodik, leader of the Serbian Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will attend the festivities.

The guest of honor of Russian President Vladimir Putin is Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin will also be pleased with the presence of the heads of state of Brazil, Indonesia, and Egypt.

(PP with HL - Source: NRC, NYT - Picture: © DPA picture alliance / Anadolu | Sefa Karacan)