Moscow expects BRICS leaders to attend 75th anniversary of WWII victory - diplomat

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Moscow expects BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders to attend the celebratory events timed to the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War on May 9, 2020 in Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on Monday. "Leaders of all BRICS states are invited to the event. We would like to hope that they will be in Moscow on this day," he said during the press conference dedicated to Russia’s chairmanship at BRICS. In response to the question on whether "an informal BRICS summit" will take place in Moscow on May 9, Ryabkov noted that the program of contacts would chiefly depend on whether all BRICS leaders decided to visit the Russian capital. "The celebratory events themselves are the most important thing; there is no doubt about that. If all five leaders are in Moscow on this day, I do not rule out that a conversation between the leaders will take place; however, it is clear that there practically will not be time for a meeting, even an informal one. We assume that an informal meeting is set for November," he noted. The celebratory events timed to the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War will take place on May 9, 2020 in Moscow. Russia has sent invitations to US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as well as a number of European leaders. Leaders of India, Cuba, France, the Czech Republic, Venezuela, Belarus, Armenia, Bulgaria, and Serbia are among those who confirmed their attendance. Russia’s chairmanship at BRICS began on January 1, 2020. During the year, Moscow plans to hold about 150 events at various levels. St. Petersburg will host the BRICS summit in July. Another meeting of BRICS leaders is set to take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit to be held in Riyadh in November. Read more