President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov will not take part in the celebrations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of World War II in Moscow, Tyzhden reports referring to the press service of the Uzbek President.
"The republic (Uzbekistan – Ed.) celebrates this holiday (Victory Day – Ed.) on the large scale. There will be held a number of events… The Head of the State will actively participate in these events," the source said.
According to the Public Fund "Nuroniy," more than 1.4 million inhabitants of Uzbekistan took part in World War II. More than 400,000 out of them died, 130,000 people are missing.
It should be recalled that U.S. President Barack Obama refused to go to Moscow.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected Putin's invitation for the parade, but she will arrive in Moscow on May 10 and lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier together with Vladimir Putin.
French leader Francois Hollande will not come too – his press office explained it by the need to take part in a meeting on climate change on the Caribbean island of Martinique.
Poland and the Baltics also declined the invitation to Putin's parade on May 9.
Ukraine also will not take part in the Moscow parade and considers the celebration of Victory Day in the country, supporting the Nazi movement, as a blasphemy.
