Along with several other Western leaders Angela Merkel decided not attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow marking 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Heads of nearly 30 foreign states and governments, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, participated in the celebrations.
"To date, there is huge controversy between Russia and us [Germany], including the issue of what is happening in Ukraine. However, it is important to me to jointly lay wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on May 10 with Russian President," Merkel said in a video blog.
In December 1966, remains of the Unknown Soldier were transferred from a mass grave of Soviet soldiers in Moscow and were buried in the Alexander Garden on the Red Square to mark the 25th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
