Berlin, 8 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The countries that won World War II in 1945 are on Thursday marking the 80th anniversary of its end - commonly known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day - with parades and various other events.

United Kingdom: Churchill, royals and extended pub hours

On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey in London and a large concert are planned for Britain's celebrations. Pubs can also stay open longer on VE Day. The whole country should come together to remember the sacrifices made by the war generation which should "never be forgotten," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

The country held a military parade in London on Monday, which the royal family attended. The words of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill were recited, and the Red Arrows flew over the city. King Charles III also hosted veterans at a tea party at Buckingham Palace.

France celebrates liberation

Paris marks Thursday with the traditional laying of a wreath by President Emmanuel Macron at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe and with a military parade on the Champs-Élysées.

The liberation of France from German occupation was celebrated last year. The highlight was the commemoration of D-Day, the Allied landing in Normandy in June 1944. The then US president Joe Biden and King Charles III attended.

The commemoration of the liberation of Strasbourg at the end of November also held great symbolic significance for France. In early February, the liberation of Colmar in Alsace was also commemorated, marking the last major battle of World War II on French soil.

Russia holds grand military parade in Moscow

When the Nazi capitulation came into effect 80 years ago on the night of May 8-9, it was already past midnight in Moscow, so Russia marks the end of the war on May 9. Russians had fought alongside soldiers from other Soviet republics - including Ukraine - in the Red Army. This army suffered the greatest number of casualties, with many millions of soldiers and civilians killed.

At the usual military parade in Moscow on Friday, more than 10,000 soldiers are expected to march across Red Square, alongside cadets from officer schools and the military children's and youth organization Yunarmiya. According to media reports, the new Oreshnik (Hazel Tree) intermediate-range missile, which Russian President Vladimir Putin tested for the first time last November in his war against Ukraine, could also be showcased at the weapons display.

According to official information, heads of state and government from more than 20 countries have announced their attendance at the victory parade. The main guest is China's head of state and party leader, Xi Jinping, Putin's most important ally. Victory parades are also being held in St Petersburg, Vladivostok and other major cities of the country.

Victory came later for US

The US government under President Donald Trump initially did not announce any plans to commemorate VE Day. Given his penchant for renaming things, Trump wants to celebrate the date in the future as "Victory Day for World War II." The US played a decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany after the Allied landing in Normandy in 1944.

However, the war ended later for the United States - which only entered after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 - with the signing of the capitulation document by Japan on September 2, 1945. This is celebrated as Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. VJ Day is also celebrated on August 15, the day that Japan announced that it was surrendering.

Ukraine commemorates quietly

In Ukraine, due to the ongoing war with Russia, no major official events are planned for the anniversary. On Thursday, known in Ukraine as Remembrance and Reconciliation Day, the national leadership and regional politicians plan to lay wreaths to remember the dead of World War II. In many places, people are expected to bring flowers to memorials.

Ukraine has officially moved the holiday to May 8 from May 9. In some cases, as in Soviet times, the day is still observed on the traditional May 9.

Poland hosts EU foreign ministers

In Poland, no major celebrations are announced for the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. An informal meeting of EU foreign ministers is taking place in the capital, Warsaw, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Poland currently holds the rotating six-month EU Council presidency.

MIA file photo