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70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

Czech president hopes to meet with Putin on May 9 in Moscow — media

Czech Republic President Milos Zeman is planning to come to Moscow for Victory Day celebrqations but won't attend the military parade on Red Square

Milos Zeman and Vladimir Putin (archive) EPA/ALEXEY NIKOLSKY /RIA NOVOSTI / KREMLIN POOL

Milos Zeman and Vladimir Putin (archive)

© EPA/ALEXEY NIKOLSKY /RIA NOVOSTI / KREMLIN POOL

PRAGUE, May 6. /TASS/. Czech Republic President Milos Zeman expects to have a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow late on May 9, when Russia celebrates the Victory Day, the Prague Daily Monitor newspaper has reported citing Zeman’s spokesman Jiri Ovcacek.

"The meetings of the heads of state will last for around an hour and will be mainly dedicated to discussing economic issues. Putin and Zeman may also discuss the situation in Ukraine," the newspaper reported.

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The Kremlin has not yet confirmed the plans.

The Czech president will depart for Moscow on May 8. He will be accompanied by the veterans who fought as part of the Red Army and the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps during World War II. On the same day, they are scheduled to meet with the Russian veterans.

On May 9, Zeman will attend a reception for foreign delegations in the Kremlin and take part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall, in the Alexander Garden.

However, Zeman will not be present at the Victory Day parade on the Red Square on May 9 and is planning to meet with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during that time. In an interview with TASS, the Czech president said it was of major importance for him to "pay tribute to the Soviet citizens who died during the Great Patriotic War.".

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Foreign policy Vladimir Putin Czech Republic 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

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