MOSCOW. May 8 (Interfax) - Russia will be represented by its ambassador to Belarus during the Victory Day Parade in Minsk on May 9, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Interfax.
"Holding a Victory Day Parade in Minsk on May 9 is Belarus's sovereign right, which we respect," Rudenko said.
During the festivities to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War, Russia will be represented by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Dmitry Mezentsev.
It was reported earlier that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he could not cancel the parade, because it is "an emotive, deeply ideological thing." Lukashenko invited regional country leaders to attend the event.