Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva arrived in Moscow for World War II victory celebrations while Russia and Ukraine exchanged deadly air attacks on each other’s capitals.
At a Glance
- Xi Jinping and Lula da Silva traveled to Moscow for the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end despite ongoing Russia-Ukraine hostilities
- Russia launched 142 drones and 4 ballistic missiles at Ukraine, causing casualties in Kyiv and other regions
- Moscow claims to have intercepted 16 Ukrainian drones targeting the Russian capital
- Putin announced a 72-hour ceasefire starting at midnight for May 9 celebrations, though Ukraine has not committed to reciprocating
- Xi and Putin scheduled bilateral talks on May 8 to discuss Ukraine, U.S. relations, and international cooperation
High-Profile Arrivals Amid Escalating Attacks
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Moscow to attend commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. Their diplomatic visit comes at a sensitive time as both Russia and Ukraine conducted air strikes against each other’s capitals in the hours leading up to the high-profile event. Russia is hosting leaders from nearly 30 countries for its annual May 9 military parade, with military units from 13 nations, including China, expected to participate in the ceremonies.
The arrival of these world leaders occurred against a backdrop of violence. Russian forces launched four ballistic missiles and 142 drones targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian regional centers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported multiple casualties and injuries across several regions of the country. Meanwhile, Russian defense systems claimed to have shot down 16 Ukrainian drones that were heading toward Moscow, causing temporary disruptions to the capital’s airports.
PITY FOR PUTIN: Moscow’s Red Square reverberated with the clatter of tanks and the blare of martial anthems today, May 9, 2025, as Vladimir Putin presided over the 80th anniversary Victory Day parade—a garish display of Russian military might and Kremlin propaganda.
Yet,… pic.twitter.com/Stw8yuZetQ
— Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) May 9, 2025
Temporary Ceasefire Announcement
In anticipation of the Victory Day celebrations, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire set to begin at midnight. The temporary truce coincides with the May 9 military parade and related festivities. However, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has not committed to reciprocating this 72-hour pause in hostilities. Instead, Zelenskyy called for a more substantial 30-day truce and expressed concerns about the safety of foreign officials attending the Moscow parade.
“Only significantly intensified pressure on Russia and stronger sanctions can pave the way to diplomacy,” stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian authorities have also urged other nations not to send military personnel to participate in the Moscow celebrations. This call comes as Ukrainian forces continue their efforts to repel Russian advances and defend their sovereignty. The contrasting approaches to the ceasefire proposal highlight the deep distrust between the warring nations and the challenges facing any diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Diplomatic Complications
The high-profile Moscow gathering has encountered diplomatic complications beyond the battlefield. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico faced airspace restrictions from Estonia while en route to Russia, an action he described as a “deliberate attempt to thwart his visit to Moscow.” This incident underscores the broader European divisions regarding engagement with Russia during the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Putin and Xi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on May 8, where they will discuss the war in Ukraine, Russia-U.S. relations, and cooperation within international organizations such as BRICS and the G20. These discussions come at a critical juncture in the conflict and will likely have significant implications for global geopolitics. China’s continued diplomatic and economic support for Russia has been a source of concern for Western nations seeking to isolate Moscow through sanctions and other measures.
International Response and Future Implications
President Zelenskyy continues to emphasize the need for intensified international pressure and stronger sanctions against Russia. His administration maintains that Russia must be held accountable for its military actions in Ukraine. This stance contrasts sharply with the diplomatic outreach being made by leaders like Xi and Lula, whose presence in Moscow during ongoing hostilities sends significant geopolitical signals about their nations’ positioning in the conflict.
The Moscow parade comes at a time when Russia is seeking to demonstrate that it is not internationally isolated despite Western sanctions. The attendance of leaders from China and Brazil, two major economic powers, provides Putin with valuable diplomatic support. For China and Brazil, the visit represents an opportunity to assert their independent foreign policies and potentially position themselves as mediators in the conflict, even as Western nations remain firmly aligned with Ukraine.
