Ukraine bows out of Russian Victory Day bash

NEW DELHI, MAY 10: Nations may disappear, generations may pass and decades may grow old, but some things in life remain sacred. One such e...

NEW DELHI, MAY 10: Nations may disappear, generations may pass and decades may grow old, but some things in life remain sacred. One such event is the celebration of Victory Day every May 9, commemorating the victory of the Allied Forces in the Great Patriotic War over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Much water has flowed in the River Moskva since. Citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States CIS, the republics which once made up the Soviet Union, however, still take time out every year to mark the victory of their war against fascism.

It doesn8217;t matter, on this day, whether the Soviet Union itself only remains a memory, that the motherland on behalf of which Russians, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Ukrainians, Belorussians, etc 8212; Soviets all 8212; once fought is not even a name on the map. Victory Day is still commemorated in the CIS in memory of the Soviet solider who took Berlin on May 8, 1945, and hoisted the flag of the Allied Forces on the Reichstag.

Yesterday, there was something new in the capital8217;s air 8212; the first time since the disintegration of the Soviet Union nearly 10 years ago. All the embassies representing the constituent nations, that once made up the largest nation in the world, came together to mark the 55th anniversary of the Allied victory. All of them, Central Asians, Caucasians and Slavs. All of them, except Ukraine.

And what a party it was. A spectacular fireworks display exactly at 8 pm was the highlight of the evening at the Russian embassy in Chanakyapuri, and at the reception that followed, you would be forgiven for thinking that you8217;d walked back into time.

Most people spoke Russian, the non-Russians included. Vodka, the original, ran out, but other equally effective alternatives were found. A band played in attendance, Russian and Indian tunes. Hundreds of diplomats, journalists and politicos turned up. Officials in the Ministry of External Affairs, fondly known as the Moscow Mafia who sometimes turn up their noses at other diplomatic dos, made it a point to turn up and show empathy with their comrades. For miles around there was no parking.

As the evening wore on, the room began to overflow with nostalgia and bravehearts determined to reclaim Russia8217;s place in the sun. They spoke of their newly elected President Vladimir Putin 8211; who comes to India on a visit in early October 8211; with great hope.

Story continues below this ad

A number of non-Russian diplomats from the CIS states acknowledged that Moscow had demonstrated its staying power in the 8220;near abroad8221; 8211; as the CIS is called 8211; in the last decade. Some spoke of their disenchantment with the US in, for example, Central Asia in recent years and felt that Russia, despite its enormous economic challenges, was getting ready to reestablish its influence in these countries.

A shadow passed when talk reverted to Ukraine8217;s non-participation in the reception. The official explanation given by the Ukrainian embassy, it seems, was that it could not bear the cost of participation. A lame excuse, some CIS diplomats felt, pointing out that it had more to do with the rivalry between Moscow and Kiev in the international arena. One diplomat pointed out that Israel, Egypt and Ukraine were the highest aid-receivers of the US.

In the end, even that didn8217;t matter. Russian ambassador Alexander Kadakin 8211; Sasha to all 8211; had succeeded in putting the otherwise non-fashionable Russian embassy on the city map. If only for one memorable day.