MOSCOW (AA) - The parade of 7 thousand Russian soldiers and 2,600 veterans in Moscow's Red Square on the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany ended.
Dozens of world leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gathered in Moscow to attend "Victory in Europe Day" ceremonies.
Prime Minister Erdogan, who represented Turkey at the ceremonies, shook hand with President Robert Kocharian of Armenia. He also chatted with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.
President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to the huge wartime sacrifice of the Soviet Union and called for unity against new threats.
He stressed that said his country would never forget the debt owed to the tens of millions of Soviet citizens who died to defeat Nazism.
Fighter jets streaming smoke in the Russian blue, white and red tricolor screamed over Red Square as soldiers sang patriotic wartime songs.
The word "victory" was emblazoned on the Kremlin wall in several languages, including those of the vanquished.
Soldiers in modern and World War II-era uniforms, and veterans bedecked in their medals, marched.
Following the parade, President Putin and the other leaders laid red carnations and a huge carpet of red roses at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin Wall to honor soldiers who perished in World War II.
Later, President Putin hosted a lunch in honor of guest leaders.
2005-05-09