Kim Jong Un and Putin to Attend China's WWII Victory Parade

Beijing Military Parade Gathering

• 🇰🇵 North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un will attend China's victory celebration next week, marking Japan's formal surrender in World War II.
• 🇷🇺 Russia's President Vladimir Putin is also expected to be among the 26 heads of state at the event.
• surprise announcement during a press conference about the parade details on September 3rd.

Geopolitical Implications

• 🇨🇳 China's President Xi Jinping will host both leaders, potentially complicating China's neutral stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• 🤝 Both North Korea and Russia are heavily reliant on China, with North Korea importing 90% of its goods from China and Russia benefiting from oil and energy purchases.
• ❓ A key question is whether China can play a role in persuading these leaders to end the invasion of Ukraine, a goal the US has also sought.

Military Showcase

• 🇨🇳 China is expected to display its latest weaponry, including aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems.
• 🚀 This parade will be the first time China's military's new force structure is fully showcased.