The president plans to visit Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations in May, expressing commitment to peace efforts

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accepted an invitation to visit Russia in May for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, his press office has said.

The confirmation came during a phone call on Monday between Lula and Russian President Vladimir Putin, initiated by Brazil, during which they discussed bilateral strategic partnership, BRICS coordination following Brazil’s 2025 chairmanship, which began on January 1, global issues including the new US administration, and efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.

The Brazilian president’s planned visit to Moscow comes after he canceled a trip to Russia in October 2024 for the BRICS summit. The decision followed a head injury sustained from a fall at his residence. On medical advice, Lula participated in the summit via videoconference instead of taking a long flight.

His invitation to the Victory Day celebrations on May 9 adds to the growing list of world leaders expected to attend the event, which will include a military parade on Red Square and participation from foreign military contingents.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov previously noted that the May 9 festivities are expected to see high-level participation, and that some countries had already confirmed their leaders’ attendance.

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Among those invited are Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who expressed his honor at attending what he called “the most significant event in history since World War II.” Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik have also confirmed their participation.

President Putin has also extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders, including from Vietnam, Mongolia, Laos, and Palestine. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has received an invitation to send a military contingent to the parade.

The leaders of the CSTO countries, a Eurasian military alliance consisting of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations have also been invited.