Russia to invite representatives of anti-Hitler coalition countries to Victory Day

Russia will invite representatives of the anti-Hitler coalition countries to celebrate Victory Day. This was announced by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday, December 19.

"The May 9 events are annually attended by representatives of the anti-Hitler coalition countries, including veterans, prominent political and public figures. It will be the same in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory," TASS quoted her as saying.

The diplomat noted that organizational issues of the upcoming event, including the list of participants, are being worked out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the presidential administration. Information will be provided additionally as soon as it is ready.

The Anti-Hitler Coalition is an association of states that fought in the Second World War (1939-1945) against the Axis countries (Germany, Italy, Japan and their allies). By the end of the war with Japan, the coalition included 54 states.

Earlier, on November 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited military units of the CSTO countries to take part in the Victory Parade on May 9 on Red Square in Moscow.

Before that, on October 30, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow intends to invite world leaders in addition to the heads of CIS countries to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War in 2025. He noted that everyone who wants to come to the celebration will be welcome in the capital.

It is known that the invitation was accepted, in particular, by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic agreed with Fitzo to go to the Victory Parade in Moscow. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also expressed his hope to come to the holiday.

In 2025, May 9 marks 80 years since the victory in the Great Patriotic War. In January 1945, the USSR army launched an offensive on Berlin. As a result of the fighting at 00:43 Moscow time on May 9, the commanders-in-chief signed an act of unconditional surrender of Germany, which served as the end of the Great Patriotic War.