President attends Moscow Victory Day military parade
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi participated on Friday in the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, held in Red Square in the Russian capital, Moscow.
The visit came at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Following the parade, President Sisi joined a formal banquet hosted by President Putin in honour of the attending heads-of-state and dignitaries, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said.
On the sidelines of the Victory Day celebrations, President Sisi held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Talks during the meeting focused on the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and efforts to support the Palestinian cause.
President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast commitment to Palestinian rights, emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of hostages and detainees, and the delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to the besieged Strip, the presidency spokesman said.
For his part, President Abbas expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt’s continued diplomatic and humanitarian support. He stressed the critical importance
of halting the violence in Gaza, especially as Palestinian casualties continue to rise, exceeding 100 deaths per day.
The Palestinian president also reviewed recent international developments related to the recognition of
Palestinian statehood, noting that 149 countries have officially recognised the State of Palestine. He voiced hope that additional nations, particularly European countries and the United States, would follow suit, underlining Egypt’s pivotal role in advancing this recognition.
Abbas highlighted the significance of the upcoming high-level meeting in New York on June 18, which will focus on supporting a two-state solution. During the meeting, Abbas also briefed President Sisi on reform measures currently underway within the Palestinian Authority, aimed at improving governance and
institutional performance.
He further noted the Palestinian leadership’s continuous efforts in the United States to advocate for the two-state solution, adding that early signs of progress were beginning to emerge. However, he warned that the financial situation facing the Palestinian Authority was dire, particularly due to Israel’s withholding of approximately $2 billion in Palestinian tax revenues. He called on the upcoming Arab Summit in Iraq to prioritise this issue and produce concrete outcomes.
President Sisi welcomed the reform measures adopted by President Abbas and underscored the importance of their full implementation. He reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and called for urgent international efforts to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Spokesman
Shennawy said.
This year’s Victory Day parade was attended by more than 20 foreign leaders, including the presidents of China, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Cuba, and Venezuela.
Military personnel from 13 countries participated in the massive display.
The annual event, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, showcased a broad array of Russian military equipment. Nearly 200 tanks—including the legendary WWII-era T-34—led the parade, followed by convoys of armoured vehicles, artillery systems, drones, and
infantry transports. The procession concluded with a dramatic aerial flyover featuring fighter jets and bombers.
Among the international troops on parade were members of Egypt’s Military Police, representing the
Egyptian Armed Forces.
