Leaders Exchange Warm Words on Soviet Victory Anniversary

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged warm congratulations via their aides to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet and allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, according to the Kremlin on Friday.

Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy adviser to President Putin, confirmed on state TV's Channel One that both leaders expressed mutual respect and acknowledgment of this shared historical triumph. He emphasized the significance of the great celebration marked by these cordial messages.

In Moscow, Russia celebrated the anniversary with a grand military parade on Red Square. Despite attendance by numerous international leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, was notably absent from the event, as reported by the TASS state news agency.

(With inputs from agencies.)