China's Xi Stands by Putin at Russia’s Victory Day Parade Amid Ukraine War Tensions
Wafric News – May 9, 2025
Amid heavy security and air raid threats, Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Victory Day in Moscow with his most high-profile guest yet — Chinese President Xi Jinping — standing shoulder to shoulder with him in Red Square as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.
Amid heavy security and air raid threats, Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Victory Day in Moscow with his most high-profile guest yet — Chinese President Xi Jinping — standing shoulder to shoulder with him in Red Square as Russia continues its war in Ukraine.
The annual parade, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, was held under the shadow of ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes and international scrutiny over Russia’s invasion of its neighbour. Despite that, Putin used the occasion to justify what he still calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
"Truth and justice are on our side," said Putin, claiming that all of Russian society supports the war effort — an assertion Kyiv and many global leaders reject.
Putin’s guest of honour, President Xi, was seated beside him wearing the St. George ribbon, a controversial symbol of Russian military pride banned in several Eastern European countries. The show of unity is a clear sign of Beijing’s deepening strategic alignment with Moscow, despite the geopolitical risks.
In a rare show of international military participation, over 100 Chinese troops marched in the Red Square parade, joined by contingents from North Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia, and others. Putin personally greeted soldiers from several of these nations after the parade. Leaders from Brazil, Venezuela, Serbia, and Slovakia were also in attendance — a lineup reflecting Russia’s pivot away from the West.
Meanwhile, the EU had urged member and candidate states to boycott the event. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, whose country is seeking EU membership, acknowledged that his presence in Moscow might carry political consequences.
Russia claimed that 27 world leaders attended the celebration. The Kremlin's message: despite global sanctions and diplomatic isolation from the West, Moscow is not without powerful allies.
Putin and Xi reportedly held multiple rounds of private talks, including informal discussions about the Ukraine war — a conflict that has reshaped modern global alliances.
To coincide with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, Russia declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire. Ukraine dismissed it as “a theatrical show”, accusing Moscow of launching thousands of attacks since the ceasefire’s start. Ukrainian officials claimed that nearly 200 clashes, 18 airstrikes, and close to 4,000 shelling incidents occurred on just the second day of the so-called truce.
“It must be real,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a televised address, urging Russia to demonstrate its willingness to end the war. He reiterated calls for a 30-day ceasefire, backed by Europe and the U.S.
Zelensky also said he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year, about pursuing a “long and lasting peace.” Trump responded with a public post on Truth Social, calling for an unconditional ceasefire and threatening further sanctions on parties who fail to commit to peace.
The Victory Day parade itself featured the traditional display of Russian military might — Yars missile systems, tanks, armored vehicles, and a flyover by Su-25 jets. In a first, combat drones — widely used in the war — were also rolled out during the parade, signaling how modern warfare has altered Russia’s arsenal and strategy.
Still, Ukraine held back on striking during the event, largely due to the presence of foreign dignitaries. But Kyiv maintains that the parade — no matter how symbolic — cannot mask the realities on the ground.
“Egged on by foreign leaders or not, what’s happening in Ukraine is not just a battlefield issue — it’s a global test of alliances, values, and accountability,” said Mykhailo Samus, a Ukrainian military analyst.
As Moscow celebrates its past military victories with pomp, the war next door rages on, and the world watches to see whether these grand displays of unity are signs of strength — or political desperation.
By WafricNews Desk.
By WafricNews Desk.
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