Heads Of State Decide To Ignore Putin's 9 May Parade

Will Lukashenka come?

The heads of only four countries have agreed to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Vedomosti that the Kremlin will "give all information on foreign guests" on May 6. Three visits to Russia have been officially confirmed for May 8-9.

The possible visit of four foreign leaders was reported by state agency sources on condition of anonymity.

Among those whose arrival has been confirmed to TASS at their respective embassies are Presidents Oumarou Sisokou Embalo of Guinea-Bissau and Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos. The TASS diplomatic source says that Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel is expected to arrive.

In addition, Presidents Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan (the RIA Novosti news agency reported this, citing a source) and Kasym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan (the republic's ambassador told TASS) are also scheduled to attend the celebrations. The latter may stay for an event in Moscow from May 8, when the EAEU summit will be held (Tajikistan does not participate in the association).

The administration of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov said that his visit to Moscow is also planned (the country is a member of the EAEU). Details were not disclosed there. The visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Lukashenka, who will definitely participate in the EAEU summit, has not been ruled out. Whether the he will stay for the Victory Day celebrations is unknown.