As May 9 is around the corner, there is intense attention as to which state leader will attend Russia's military parade on the Red Square marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazism. While Russia celebrates the victory every year, this year's thousands of commemorative events, of which the parade is a pinnacle, came at a special time because of the fallout of the Ukraine crisis.

Heads of the US, France and Germany appeared at the 60th anniversary anti-fascist victory events in 2005 and soldiers from the Allied Forces marched during the parade in 2010, but this year US President Barack Obama and other Western leaders, who were reportedly pressured by Washington, have declined to attend the parade, citing Russia's annexation of Crimea and actions in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will smartly skip the parade but pay her respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Kremlin on May 10, taking the opportunity to exchange views with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The rejection by the leaders of Western powers is considered by some as a reflection of Russia being isolated in the international community. But in fact the confirmed number of dignitaries attending the parade is no less than that at the past celebrations.

According to head of the Russian Presidential Administration Sergey Ivanov, 26 state leaders will attend the event, mostly from Asia, Africa, the Commonwealth of Independence States and BRICS, plus several heads of international organizations like the UN.

Putin may want to take the opportunity to expand Russia's scope of diplomacy, but more importantly he is eyeing internal unity. He aims to beef up domestic patriotism and enhance Russia's cohesion with the celebrations, which is critical for the country to pull through the difficulties together.

Besides, with state-of-the-art weapons on display at the parade, Russia also intends to demonstrate that it is strong enough to defend its national interest, whatever hardships are imposed upon it.

In fact, it's no surprise that Obama will be absent given the profound and structural differences between Russia and the US over the Ukraine crisis, a sequel to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The US-led Western forces intend to rid Ukraine of its inheritances from the Soviet Union and convert it into a country that complies with Western standards. Washington, distant from Asia and Europe, is unequivocally willing to see a turbulent Ukraine that enables the US to strengthen its fading military presence in Europe, enhance its say in the EU's security and have a strong grip on the EU.

Obama's foreign policy is characterized by borrowing others' strength to reach his goals of maintaining US global dominance. Unless any drastic adjustment takes place, the US is unlikely to show any support for Russia.

The US may be pushed to rethink its relations with Russia if political deals can be made in consideration of the international strategic layout or if rifts within the EU grow stronger to prompt the bloc to readjust its strategy. As these conditions are not met yet, in the short term, Washington will maintain its standoff with Moscow and the status quo will remain.

Nonetheless, Putin knows that he needs to forge better relations with the West to fulfill the dream of rejuvenating his country. It would be a more realistic choice to improve Russia's relationship with the EU than with the US, given the country's historical connections and closer economic ties with Europe, which is more acceptable to the Russian people. In the foreseeable future, Russia will seek to restore its relations with the EU before working on confrontation with the US.
The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Sun Xiaobo based on an interview with Pan Dawei, director of the Center for Russian Studies at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. sunxiaobo@globaltimes.com.cn