Obama invited to WWII commemorations in Moscow: Kremlin
Russia marks victory of Soviet Union over Nazi Germany with an annual military parade on Red Square.
MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia has invited US President Barack Obama to Moscow next year to mark the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, a Kremlin advisor said.
Asked by reporters whether Obama was on the guest list for the May 9 commemorations, Yuri Ushakov, one of President Vladimir Putin s top aides, said: "Of course."
"Invitations were sent on the basis of the list of the previous victory anniversary," Ushakov said.
"Naturally, all countries that took part in the anti-Hitler coalition are invited," he said, adding that Russia s "closest allies", including its BRICS partners Brazil, India, China and South Africa, were also among the "large number" of invitees.
Ushakov confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- whose government is locked in a war of words with the United States over a cyber attack on Sony Pictures blamed on Pyongyang -- had also been invited to the ceremonies.
Russia marks the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany with an annual military parade on Red Square aimed at showcasing Russia s military might.
The invitation to Obama comes amid a deep chill in relations between Russia and the West, triggered by Russia s annexation of the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine and its support for a rebellion in the country s east.
