This year marks 70 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II. Tusk joins a growing list of world leaders who have decided not to attend the celebrations given Russia`s aggression towards Ukraine and isolation from the international community.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed last week that she would not attend, nor will US President Barack Obama or British Prime Minister David Cameron. So far, the only European Union head of state who has confirmed he will attend is Czech President Milos Zeman, who has been criticised at home for what is perceived as warm relations with Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.
Each year, Russia holds large-scale Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, with many heads of state in attendance. The ceremony has been used as a way to drum up patriotism in recent years among Russians, many of whom have become nostalgic for the military and political might of the Soviet Union.
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