"As for the leaders of the countries, including the [members of the] anti-Hitler coalition, it is their choice, it is their decision. I think that questions of political conjuncture are less important than fundamental things related to maintenance of global peace and prevention of repeating the catastrophes, if we recall the catastrophe of the Second World War," Putin told reporters after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Along with some other Western leaders Angela Merkel decided not attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 marking 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. However, the German chancellor arrived in Moscow on May 10 to meet with the Russian president and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the memory of millions of Soviet people who had been killed during World War II.
Putin added that on the eve of the celebration he had held a meeting with veterans from the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland and other countries.
"Still, they are the main participants of this celebration [of the victory in WWII], and I am very pleased that they were with us."
