At the close of the CSTO summit, Vladimir Putin invited the heads of state from the organization’s member countries and the senior commanders who represent their armed forces to participate in the Victory Day ceremonies planned for Moscow. The invitation marks a ceremonial acknowledgment of the alliance’s ongoing cooperation and shared history as the 80th anniversary of the victory is commemorated. The CSTO includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, with allied partners often taking part in commemorations, parades, and related military displays. According to official statements and reports from TASS, the Kremlin framed the invitation as a demonstration of unity at a milestone date that carries significant weight for the regional security architecture in Eurasia.
I hope you will have the opportunity to come to these ceremonial events in Moscow, to the ceremonial events on May 9, Putin reportedly emphasized to fellow leaders. The remark was interpreted as a formal invitation for foreign heads of state and high-ranking military officials to attend the May 9 ceremonies, a day of national remembrance that resonates deeply across allied and partner countries. The statement underscores the desire for international presence to reinforce shared memory, historical ties, and joint strategic concerns. Reports from TASS indicate that the president viewed attendance as a signal to the international community about continuity in cooperation and the value placed on public demonstrations of unity during the commemorations. The remarks were delivered in a setting focused on security planning, ceremonial arrangements, and the broader message sent to allies.
Putin noted that events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory would be held in all CSTO member states at the highest state level, a formulation designed to reflect the monumental importance of the milestone. The plan envisions wide-scale ceremonies that bring together veterans, service members, state dignitaries, and the public, emphasizing a shared history while showcasing continued cooperation within the bloc. Officials described the program as including ceremonial parades, formal receptions, and educational initiatives aimed at younger generations. The emphasis on the highest state level signals a deliberate political message to domestic audiences and international partners about the enduring bonds between the CSTO members and their allies.
Earlier, the Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov explained that the Kremlin would make clear in due course whether Western leaders would take part in the 2025 Victory Parade. He noted that invitations to nonpresidential figures would pass through official channels and that the decision would be shaped by ongoing diplomatic considerations. The reporting on the matter emphasized that attendance is a matter of routine diplomatic communication ahead of a major commemorative event, touching on security, logistics, and the broader tone of Moscow’s bilateral engagements on the international stage.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that he accepted an official invitation from President Putin to participate in the May 9, 2025 Victory Day ceremonies in Moscow. The invitation extends beyond bilateral ties and signals an openness to broad international participation in a key commemorative occasion. Fico’s confirmation follows a pattern of invitations extended to leaders from several states, reflecting diplomacy in action and a desire to reinforce ties within a wider community of post-Soviet and allied partners. The event is viewed not only as a remembrance of history but also as a stage for signaling regional cooperation amid evolving security dynamics in Europe and beyond.
<pEarlier reports noted that CIS countries would coordinate a joint celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, aligning ceremonies, veterans’ honors, and public education across member states. The effort highlights enduring ties among former Soviet republics and reinforces the sense of shared memory that informs contemporary diplomacy in the region. Observers point out that such cross-country coordination supports regional stability while allowing countries to express their own national narratives within a common historical framework.