As Vladimir Putin hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Lula da Silva for World War II commemorations in Moscow, fresh drone attacks in Ukraine and growing global tension turned the event into a geopolitical balancing act.
At a Glance
- Xi Jinping and Lula da Silva joined Vladimir Putin in Moscow for WWII anniversary events
- Chinese troops marched in Moscow’s May 9 parade amid international backlash
- Russia and Ukraine traded air strikes despite Putin’s declared ceasefire
- Zelenskyy calls for stronger international sanctions and a 30-day truce
- BRICS and G20 partnerships featured in Putin-Xi bilateral discussions
Diplomatic Engagements Amidst Conflict
The optics were striking: amid ongoing war in Ukraine, President Xi Jinping and President Lula da Silva arrived in Moscow to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to American Military News, the state visit also included bilateral meetings with Vladimir Putin focused on trade, BRICS cooperation, and “peace” proposals.
Watch a report: Xi Jinping Visits Moscow Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict – YouTube.
Despite the pageantry, tensions loomed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the optics as hollow, telling Western allies that “only significantly intensified pressure on Russia and stronger sanctions can pave the way to diplomacy,” as cited in American Military News.
Clashes Continue with Casualties
Hours after Putin’s announcement of a symbolic three-day ceasefire for the May 9 parade, drone and missile strikes resumed. Ukrainian and Russian cities reported civilian casualties, further undermining the credibility of any pause in hostilities.
President Zelenskyy called for a 30-day truce but received no formal response from Moscow. “Russia must be held accountable for its actions,” he reiterated, warning that the continued shelling would nullify any diplomatic overtures.
Parade Participation and Global Reaction
China’s decision to send military personnel to march in the Moscow parade drew criticism from Western governments. Thirteen nations participated in total, though some allies of Ukraine publicly condemned the event as a propaganda tool.
Ukraine had called on world leaders to boycott the event, citing safety concerns and the ongoing war. Despite the criticism, President Xi used the visit to solidify China’s alliance with Russia, signaling a strategic defiance of U.S.-led diplomatic efforts.
Between Ceremony and Crisis
While Moscow’s Red Square showcased tanks and marching soldiers, the war in Ukraine raged on. For Putin, the event served as both a political statement and a diplomatic signal: Russia is not isolated. For Xi and Lula, their presence complicated global efforts to unify against Russia’s aggression while preserving multilateral ties through BRICS and the G20.
In Kyiv, the message was clear: peace is possible, but not through parades. As Zelenskyy put it, “We don’t want a peace that breaks apart in no time.” With drones still in the sky, any talk of ceasefires continues to ring hollow.
