Russia prepares to celebrate victory anniversary

Russia is making final preparations to hold nationwide celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the World War II victory over Nazi Germany.

Moscow will host more than 50 foreign leaders and heads of international organisations at the May 9 event, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko.

The celebration plans were soured earlier this year when leaders of the Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia refused to attend the Moscow festivities, arguing that for the Baltic states the Nazi defeat was followed by occupation by Soviet troops.

Soviet forces occupied the Baltic states in June 1940 but were driven out by the Germans a year later. The Red Army retook the Baltics in 1944 and the three countries were reincorporated into the Soviet Union.

In an attempt to quell the animosity, Yakovenko said victory celebrations should bring people closer together.

“The 60th victory anniversary should not be a cause for confrontation and settling of old scores and mutual offences,” Yakovenko said.

He added that Russia will send greetings to more than 30,000 war veterans living abroad, as well as help them to get visas to attend the anniversary ceremonies in Russia.

The events will centre around a military parade on May 9 on Moscow’s Red Square attended by war veterans.