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- In full parade: Indonesian president invited to the 80th anniversary of Victory Day on May 9
In full parade: Indonesian president invited to the 80th anniversary of Victory Day on May 9
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has received an invitation from Russia to attend the Victory Day parade on May 9, the country's embassy in Russia told Izvestia. As BRICS expands, which, moreover, took place in the year of Russia's chairmanship, the leaders of other BRICS countries - both full members, such as China and India, and future partners, in particular Vietnam - should be expected at the parade, experts say. The leaders of Serbia and Slovakia will also come to Moscow, which confirms the failure of the West's attempts to isolate Russia. Whether the Victory Parade will be able to consolidate the world community around Russia - in the material "Izvestia".
Who was invited to the 80th anniversary of Victory
The upcoming 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War promises to gather in Moscow many world leaders. Among them are expected heads of state from various corners of the planet. In particular, the new President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto received an invitation to come to Moscow for the Victory Parade on May 9 in 2025, the country's embassy in the Russian Federation told Izvestia.
- Yes, there is an invitation for the President of Indonesia. There is no confirmation yet, but the probability (to visit the Victory Parade. - "Izvestia") remains, - specified in the diplomatic mission.
Indonesia's new president Prabowo Subianto
Prabowo Subianto has already met with Vladimir Putin at talks in the Kremlin in July, but still in the status of president-elect. There is every reason for a repeat visit to Moscow in honor of such a holiday. In Indonesia, they openly say that Russia's victory in World War II helped the country gain independence. Moreover, Indonesia will officially join BRICS as a partner state on January 1. The decision to expand the association with a new category was made in the year of Russia's presidency, and the list of future partners was determined at the summit in Kazan. In this regard, Prabowo Subianto's visit fits into the logic of strengthening Russian-Indonesian relations.
- I think that among the partner countries, in addition to those that have already received an invitation, such as Kazakhstan, we can expect the participation of the leader of Indonesia, as well as the leadership of Vietnam, since they are the most interested in BRICS among the countries of Southeast Asia," Alexander Korolev, political scientist and Deputy Director of the Center for the Study and Research Institute of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, shared his opinion with Izvestia.
As for the BRICS members, we should expect the arrival of the heads of China, India and Brazil. At least Chinese leader Xi Jinping attended the parade in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day.
- If Xi Jinping or Narendra Modi or any of the other BRICS leaders decide to come, it will be a very important gesture on their part in support of Russia. But I don't think their visits are very likely. Still, this is not their agenda, and the demonstration of such support for Russia will depend on a number of factors that by that time will be formed around the Ukrainian conflict," said Fyodor Lukyanov, political scientist and editor-in-chief of the journal Russia in Global Politics.
Of course, the BRICS factor increases the need for such visits to Russia. The 80th anniversary will indeed bring together a number of dignitaries - there will definitely be more world leaders than, for example, a year ago (there were nine in 2024). However, some circumstances should be taken into account: firstly, the date is binding, and secondly, the event is still more symbolic and does not imply specific discussions on deepening the partnership, although, of course, no one ruled out bilateral meetings.
- We should not expect any rallying around Russia from the Victory Parade, and especially not as many high-ranking officials as there were, for example, at the BRICS summit. Consolidation will take place on other platforms, such as the SCO, BRICS, CSTO or EAEU," Korolev said.
So far, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian side is waiting for leaders and military calculations of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries at the parade. "We remember the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. About the anniversary, the 80th anniversary of this victory. Of course, in all our countries this event will be held at the highest state level," the Russian president said. The heads of the CIS countries and their military contingents have also received an invitation. As the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov specified, foreign leaders from different countries, not only the CIS, will be invited to Moscow for the Victory Parade, and the list will be prepared as the holiday approaches. In particular, back in September, Vladimir Putin, being at the talks in Ulan Bator, offered the head of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukha to visit the parade.
Europe at the Victory Parade
It is noteworthy that the Victory Parade will be attended not only by Russia's traditional partners, but also by leaders of countries representing the European part of Eurasia. For example, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is expected - the Serbian politician's plans were not affected by Brussels' pressure. Thus, in September, the European Union urged Belgrade to abandon strengthening relations and partnership with Russia, as it allegedly contradicts the country's obligations as a candidate for EU accession.
After that, Vucic assured that he would come to his 80th birthday party if the "end of the world" did not happen. The other day, he confirmed his arrival after a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: "I would have to go to the big parade in Moscow on May 9 in any case, for the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, to which the Serbian people also made a huge contribution."
By the way, Vucic promises to fly in together with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo. The latter said he considers visiting Moscow on Victory Day in 2025 a personal duty. "Slovakia knows about it (the role of the USSR in the victory over fascism. - "Izvestia"), I consider it (coming to Moscow for the Victory Day parade. - "Izvestia") a personal duty, because it will be the 80th anniversary [of the liberation of Czechoslovakia]. Without the Soviet Union, fascism would never have been defeated, and World War II would never have been won," Fitzo said.
It is important to emphasize that Slovakia, unlike Serbia, is not only a longtime EU member, but is also a NATO member. At the same time, Fitzo is actively in favor of a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict: in particular, he openly condemns Washington's authorization for Kiev to launch strikes with U.S. long-range missiles deep into Russian territory.
On December 22, the Slovak leader even traveled to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin, which, as expected, provoked a flurry of criticism from Western representatives. Fitzo is the third EU representative to meet with Putin in Moscow during the entire Ukrainian conflict. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visited the Russian capital in April 2022, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in July 2024. Fitzo's arrival was particularly resented in Lithuania and neighboring Czech Republic. In Bratislava, the opposition called the act of the leader of the state "a disgrace for the country" and "betrayal of national interests," while Slovak President Peter Pellegrini supported Fitzo, noting that the visit was dictated by national interests. Indeed, during the talks in the Kremlin, the prime minister touched upon the topic of gas supply to Slovakia. Ukraine did not want to prolong the agreement with Russia on the transit of fuel through its territory, which jeopardizes the energy well-being of a number of European countries, including Slovakia and Hungary.
From left to right: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo and Russian President Vladimir Putin, December 22, 2024
- For other countries, the Victory Parade has, in my opinion, no independent value beyond the need to build relations with Russia. Fitzo has his own clear agenda, the energy agenda. He, like Orban, is on the side of the Western establishment that, together with Trump, is going to somehow change relations with Russia," Fyodor Lukyanov emphasized.
Viktor Orban has a similar position to Fitzo in the context of Ukraine and in the defense of national interests. Moreover, as the leader of the country holding the EU presidency, he has personally traveled to Kiev, Moscow and Beijing on a peace mission, and recently put forward a concrete proposal for a Christmas truce, which, however, failed due to Ukraine's refusal.
Against this background, it seems as if we should expect Orban to come to the Victory Parade as well, but there is a nuance here. In the 1940s Hungary supported Germany, but after the end of the war the government condemned fascism - nevertheless, it preserves the memory of the fallen soldiers. In this regard, Orban's office ruled out the possibility of his participation in the celebration. They explained their position by the difference in the interpretation of the tragic events.
