MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged congratulatory messages through their aides on the 80th anniversary of the Soviet and Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, the Kremlin confirmed on Friday. According to Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser to Putin, the leaders shared “warm words” and mutual respect for what he called “our common great celebration” of the historic victory.
The exchange occurred as Russia commemorated the anniversary with a large military parade on Moscow’s Red Square, an event attended by numerous world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, the U.S. was notably absent from the ceremony, with Ambassador Lynne Tracy not attending, according to the TASS state news agency.