- Putin hosts allies as Western leaders converge in Kyiv for ceasefire talks.
- China’s Xi Jinping and other pro-Russia leaders attend Moscow’s parade.
- Western nations notably absent, highlighting global geopolitical divide.
Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 served as a platform for President Vladimir Putin to showcase his remaining international allies amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As Putin praised Russia’s military campaign, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, gathered in Kyiv to push for a 30-day ceasefire.
Russia Rallies Allies as Europe Unites in Kyiv for Ceasefire Push
Moscow’s Red Square became the focal point for Russia’s Victory Day parade, where President Vladimir Putin hosted allies from China, Belarus, and other sympathetic nations. The event, marking 80 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, was framed as a symbol of Russia’s defiance against Western criticism and its continued military aggression in Ukraine.
In stark contrast, Kyiv hosted a historic summit of European leaders, with French President Macron, British Prime Minister Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk holding talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The summit aimed to rally support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal and increase pressure on Moscow to halt its military campaign.
Despite Moscow’s efforts to present the parade as a show of strength and unity, the guest list revealed a dwindling number of international allies. Leaders from major Western nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, and India, were notably absent. Meanwhile, regional leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa reaffirmed their support for Putin, demonstrating the Kremlin’s strategic pivot toward non-Western partnerships.
The simultaneous events in Moscow and Kyiv underscored the stark divide between Russia and Western nations. As Putin reaffirmed Russia’s military resolve, European leaders emphasized the urgent need for peace talks and a coordinated response to the ongoing conflict, indicating that the war in Ukraine remains a key battleground for global influence.
The Victory Day parade in Moscow highlighted Russia’s increasingly isolated position on the global stage as Western leaders converged in Kyiv to advocate for a ceasefire, amplifying the call for a peaceful resolution.
“Alongside the U.S., we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.” — Joint Statement by European Leaders in Kyiv.
