Merkel declines Russian invitation to parade commemorating the 2nd World War

German Chancellor Angela Merkel declined the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin military parade in Moscow May 9, organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

“The German Chancellor will not honor” the invitation, but the next day of commemoration in Red Square will travel to Moscow to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the company of Putin, said a spokesman for the German government.

Moscow prepares for May 9 large military parade in Red Square, with which it want to represent the victory over Nazi Germany.

The decision not to attend the grand celebration of May 9 was “recently” adopted and the alternative proposal has been accepted “willingly” by Moscow, the source said.

According to the spokesman, so far not been formally received an invitation to German Chancellor to participate of the celebration of this anniversary organized in Poland on May 8.