In a true sign of changing times, President Putin has invited German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to Russia's 60th anniversary commemorating the end of the Second World War. Chancellor Schroeder said he feels honored for being invited. He will be the first German leader to attend the ceremony. Schroeder said that the two countries' relations have reached an intensity never seen before and that he wants to expand them to a "strategic partnership."
At yesterday's joint news conference in Bratislava, President Putin announced that President Bush has accepted Putin's invitation to attend the 60th Anniversary Victory Parade Celebration in Moscow on 9 May 2005.
The President of Lithuania and President of Estonia announced this week that they will not attend. Lithuania may not send a representative at all, since Putin sent the invitation directly to President Adamkus.
04-30-2005, 06:28 PM (This post was last modified: 05-24-2014, 10:24 AM by CtahhR.)
I suspect each of the non-Baltic republics, in all of their major cities, will have the traditional celebrations for May 9. In the Balts, I suspect Russia, through its Embassy in each capital, will arrange a celebration at the appropriate cemetary/monument. The Balts, as with the rest of Europe, will celebrate May 8 as V-E day.
With respect to the Moscow parade; officials have long been promoting the idea that Moscovites leave the capital that day. Most of the city center will be entirely closed to both vehicle and pedistrian traffic.
Sent in by a visitor to the website today, these are the troops practicing in St. Petersburg for the parade on 9 May. Also shown in last photo is the infamous cruiser Aurora.
