Turkmenistan’s president, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, traveled to Moscow to take part in the Victory Day parade, a state ceremony traditionally tied to the end of World War II in Europe. The visit was reported by TASS through the Turkmenistan embassy in the Russian Federation, underscoring the ongoing relations between the two countries and the ceremonial importance of Moscow’s commemorations.
According to the Turkmenistan embassy in Moscow, the leadership confirmed that President Berdimuhamedov joined the parade as a guest participant. The embassy’s statement highlighted the purpose of the trip as part of the broader outreach surrounding the commemorations, emphasizing the mutual respect and historical ties that connect Turkmenistan with Russia in the modern era.
Discussions surrounding the attendance of foreign leaders at Moscow’s Victory Parade have often drawn attention in diplomatic circles. An unnamed former US State Department spokesperson noted that sovereign states make their own choices about whether to send their heads of state to this high-profile event, reflecting a balance of domestic considerations and international symbolism that accompanies such visits. The question of participation can carry significant political resonance, signaling alignment or goodwill with Russia during a period of heightened geopolitical activity.
In the lead-up to the parade, observers noted that several regional presidents were anticipated to be present or to send high-level representatives. Among them were leaders from Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with expectations that their attendance would reinforce regional diplomatic ties and regional cooperation within the post-Soviet space. These appearances are often interpreted as signals of shared history and ongoing collaboration on security, energy, and economic issues that affect the wider Eurasian region.
Separately, Slovakia’s president, Zuzana Čaputová, used her social media channels to remind followers of the historical liberation of the country from fascism by the Soviet Red Army during the Second World War. This reminder frames the day within a long arc of European memory, reflecting how national narratives about World War II continue to shape contemporary diplomacy and historical reflection across Europe. The public statements by regional leaders in relation to Victory Day reveal how nations interpret the day through the lenses of memory, alliance, and current geopolitical concerns, and they often invite careful consideration of how historical events are presented in public diplomacy and international dialogue.