Kyrgyz president only foreign leader to attend Moscow's May 9 parade

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov will be the only foreign leader who will attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

On March 31, Sadyr Japarov received an invitation to visit Russia from Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, who is in charge of international relations in the government, Vedomosti reports, citing a diplomatic source and a person close to the presidential administration.

At a meeting with the Kyrgyz president, Overchuk stressed: "On May 8-9, we are expecting your official visit. The fact that this visit is timed to coincide with the celebration of our most important common holiday, Victory Day, is particularly significant. Of course, we will always remember what contribution Kyrgyzstan made to this victory and the defence of Moscow, this is sacred for us".

Vedomosti's sources noted that the Kyrgyz president is expected not only to attend celebrations but also to hold high-level talks as part of his visit.

In 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not invite any foreign heads of state to Moscow for Victory Day. His spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that "it is not an anniversary date". He also added that "it is our holiday, a holiday for all Russians". Only Tajik President Emomali Rahmon was the only foreign leader to arrive in Moscow for the 2021 parade.

Preparations for the Victory Day parade on Red Square began on April 3.