Russian President Vladimir Putin has applauded the boldness of European leaders who plan to visit Moscow for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, despite warnings from Brussels to stay away. The celebration, held annually on May 9, marks the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II—a moment Russia commemorates with deep national pride.
While the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, urged European leaders to avoid Moscow and instead travel to Kyiv in a show of solidarity with Ukraine, several leaders are pushing back. Kallas even hinted that defying Brussels could jeopardize EU membership prospects for aspiring countries.
But that hasn’t stopped some from standing their ground.
Asked about the mounting pressure from Brussels, Putin didn’t mince words. “Those who’ve decided to come show far more courage than those hiding behind threats and intimidation,” he said during a ceremony in Moscow. “These leaders are choosing to honor those who sacrificed everything to defeat Nazism. That’s worth remembering.”
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, so far the only EU leader to confirm his attendance, slammed the EU’s warning as “disrespectful.” In a post on X, he questioned whether Kallas’s comments amounted to blackmail. “It’s 2025, not 1939,” he added sharply.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also stood firm, saying he won’t be backing out. “I made my plans public eight months ago,” he told local media, brushing off Brussels’ objections.
Russia has rolled out the red carpet for world leaders, inviting representatives from China, India, Brazil, and other countries to join the commemoration.
Victory Day is a cornerstone of Russian national identity, honoring the estimated 26.6 million Soviet lives lost during World War II—nearly 18 million of them civilians. The day is both a tribute to that immense sacrifice and a powerful symbol of Russia’s role in history.
As diplomatic tensions remain high over Ukraine, the upcoming celebrations are shaping into more than just a historical remembrance—they’re a test of political loyalties and independence on the world stage.
