China’s Xi Jinping joins Vladimir Putin at Victory Day parade in Russia

Russia has marked the 80th anniversary of the former Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi German forces in World War II, with a military parade attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the May 9, 2025, event which also featured military units from 13 countries, including China, taking part alongside Russian troops. The parade took place after three years of Russia’s devastating war in Ukraine. In his speech, Putin said that “truth and justice” were on Russia’s side and that the entire country supported its “special military operation”.