Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré attends Russia’s WWII Victory day commemorations in Moscow
Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, joined world leaders on Moscow’s Red Square Friday morning for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), marking the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany.
Invited as a guest of honor by Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Traoré participated in the historic commemorations, underscoring deepening ties between Ouagadougou and Moscow.
The solemn event featured a grand military parade, with over 11,500 Russian troops and 1,500 veterans—including participants in Russia’s ongoing “special military operation”—marching alongside allied contingents from China, India, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
The display of armored vehicles, missile systems, and aerial flyovers paid tribute to the Soviet Union’s immense sacrifices during WWII, which claimed an estimated 27 million Soviet lives.
In a poignant speech, President Putin honoured the fallen, declaring, “Millions of lives were the price paid to defend peace and freedom for all humanity.” He warned against forgetting the lessons of history, drawing parallels to contemporary geopolitical challenges.
President Traoré took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, standing alongside global dignitaries to honor WWII heroes.
His presence at the event highlights Burkina Faso’s strategic alignment with Russia amid expanding diplomatic and defense cooperation, as the Sahel nation shifts away from traditional Western partners.
Souley Lamina
