IN BRIEF: Prospects for normalizing Russia-US relations, Victory Day's role — envoy

Russian Ambassador: US Administration's Approach to Victory Day Has 'Shifted Dramatically'

WASHINGTON, May 8. Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev said the administration of US President Donald Trump has "significantly reshaped" the American government's approach to celebrating Victory Day. Speaking at a gala reception at the Russian Embassy in Washington commemorating the upcoming 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's Victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, Darchiev told journalists that "the attitude of administration representatives toward the holiday has shifted, and shifted dramatically."

According to the ambassador, over the past two years, administration representatives have held the Immortal Regiment march in the center of the US capital. He noted that "administration representatives attended the reception today" and that "the presidents [of Russia and the US] underscored the significance of Russian-American brotherhood in arms during their phone conversation."

The reception was attended by members of the foreign diplomatic corps, compatriots, American experts and public figures, US administration officials, and Soviet and US veterans. Musicians performed wartime songs, and embassy school students also participated. A photo exhibition dedicated to the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the genocide of the Soviet people by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Great Patriotic War was also on display.

Coverage Comparison

All reports from TASS — English, which covered the event, focus on Ambassador Darchiev's remarks. The reports consistently highlight the ambassador's statements about the US administration's changed attitude toward Victory Day and the ongoing, though difficult, dialogue between Russia and the US. Some reports emphasize the commemorative aspects of the reception, including the ambassador's tribute to the contributions of American, British, and other allies in defeating Nazi Germany, and the human cost of the war.

Other reports focus on the diplomatic dimension, quoting the ambassador's comments on the prospects for normalizing relations between Moscow and Washington. The ambassador described the process as "extremely difficult" and said that "events are also taking a tragic turn," but he also expressed optimism, saying, "I remain an optimist by profession, and there are grounds for optimism."

Key Claims

The following key claims were made by Ambassador Darchiev and reported by TASS — English:

• The administration of US President Donald Trump has significantly altered the American government's approach to celebrating Victory Day. The ambassador said the attitude of administration representatives toward the holiday has "shifted dramatically," noting that over the past two years they have held the Immortal Regiment march in the center of the US capital.

• The presidents of Russia and the US, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, underscored the significance of "Russian-American brotherhood in arms" during their phone conversation. The ambassador said this recent conversation will lend practical impetus to mending relations between the two countries.

• Communications and dialogue between Russia and the US are continuing, although they are "anything but simple." The ambassador said, "Communications and the dialogue continue. I will tell you frankly, they are anything but simple but they continue. This is the most important. The process goes."

• Victory Day serves an "unequivocally positive role" in Russia-US bilateral relations. The ambassador noted that this was "recognized by our presidents back in 2020."

• The ambassador expressed grounds for optimism regarding the normalization of Russia-US relations, while acknowledging the process is extremely difficult and that "events are also taking a tragic turn." He said, "I believe, however, that we will eventually find a sustainable trajectory. To achieve that, we must restore normalcy in our bilateral relations."

• On the occasion of the 81st anniversary, the ambassador underscored the contribution of American, British, and other allies in defeating Nazi Germany. He said the victory "saved mankind from slavery and extermination by German-Japanese Axis of Evil" and was achieved at an enormous price: 27 million Soviet lives, including 17 million civilians, as well as "even more tragic sacrifices of the great people of China."

• Victory Day is celebrated on May 9th, which the ambassador described as "the most sacred date not only for Russia and former Soviet Republics that safeguarded the freedom and independence of their common Motherland, but for all those in the US and around the world who hate Nazism and are thankful to the Red Army that crushed, together with American, British, and other allies the Hitlerite War Machine."