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Azerbaijan’s President Pulls Out of Moscow Victory Day Parade at Last Minute

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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Azerbaijan’s President Pulls Out of Moscow Victory Day Parade at Last Minute
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrives for a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, September 5, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The announcement was made by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, according to Russian state media on May 7.

According to Ushakov, the Azerbaijani side explained the decision by citing President Aliyev’s participation in national events commemorating his father, Heydar Aliyev, whose birthday is observed on May 10. Heydar Aliyev served as the first president of independent Azerbaijan.

Aliyev is one of several leaders who will not be attending the event. The President of Laos has also canceled his trip after reportedly contracting COVID-19. Laos will instead be represented at the parade by its foreign minister.

Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s flight to Moscow was delayed after several countries revoked airspace clearance, citing ongoing combat operations. His plane was temporarily grounded in Baku but later resumed its journey, according to Serbian media. The delay came amid flight disruptions across Russia.

On the night of May 6–7, Ukrainian drone strikes triggered the closure of multiple Moscow airports, including Vnukovo, the main hub for incoming foreign delegations. Russian authorities claimed 447 drones and missiles were launched, targeting airbases, weapons plants, and critical defense infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.

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