Opinion | How China became central to Russia’s Victory Day parade

Russia may have hoped to send the message that it is not isolated but the event’s list of expected attendees is not entirely convincing

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Russian President Vladimir Putin at the military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2023. Photo: Sputnik/ Pool via Reuters

Published: 8:30pm, 6 May 2025

For Russian President Vladimir Putin, celebrating Victory Day on May 9 appears to be a top priority. Unable to defeat Ukraine after more than three years of war, Putin is preparing to bask in the glory of the Soviet Union’s triumph over the Nazi Germany – a victory for which he can claim no credit.

This year, leaders of several former Soviet republics – Belarus, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia – and the presidents of Brazil, Burkina Faso, Vietnam, Cuba, Palestine, Venezuela and Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina), are expected to attend the event and watch Russian troops march on Moscow’s Red Square, even as their fellow soldiers continue to die in Ukraine.

For Putin, the most important guest undoubtedly is Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to visit the Russian capital on May 7. Putin’s summit with Xi comes after the de facto failure of Russia’s negotiation with the United States for peace in Ukraine. As US President Donald Trump’s efforts to freeze the Ukraine conflict failed to yield results, Washington has continued to arm Kyiv.

Recently, the US reportedly transferred decommissioned F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to supply spare parts for aircraft donated by European partners. Back in March, while Russian and American officials were discussing a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, it became clear Washington had no intention of completely abandoning Kyiv. Polish media reported that US arms supplies to Ukraine had resumed through Poland.

Moreover, after Kyiv and Washington signed a long-awaited minerals deal, which is expected to give the US access to Ukraine’s natural resources, the chances of the Trump administration allowing Russia to achieve any of its strategic goals in the Eastern European nation are rather slim. Therefore, the Ukraine war will go on – and Moscow and Washington are unlikely to normalise their relations any time soon.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on April 26. Photo: AFP/Official Telegram channel of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak

Fully aware of this, the Kremlin is counting on Beijing’s support. Putin and Xi are expected to agree in Moscow to advance the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between Russia and China.