Online Reporter
Ranga Mataire, Group Political Editor
ON May 9, Russia’s Red Square resounded with the thunder of marching boots and the display of cutting-edge military hardware. Yet, the true spectacle of Russia’s Victory Parade lay not merely in its martial prowess, but in the presence of 29 global leaders — a bold diplomatic riposte to Western efforts to enforce a unipolar world order.
This year’s Victory Day Parade amounted to a diplomatic triumph, challenging the West’s campaign of isolation. Beyond solemnly commemorating the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany, the event stood as a vivid symbol of a shifting global order — one that is steadily moving away from Western dominance towards a multi-polar reality.
Among the dignitaries was President Mnangagwa, representing not only Zimbabwe but also serving as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). His presence, alongside other African and Asian leaders, underscored a deliberate recalibration of global alliances — rooted in historical solidarity and a shared vision for an international system that resists domination by any single bloc.
More than a display of military pageantry, the attendance of 29 world leaders sent a powerful message: the era of unilateral dictates is fading. For a nation under sweeping Western sanctions, such a turnout was impossible to ignore. It lent the event the gravitas of a global summit and symbolised the shortcomings of the West’s isolationist strategies.
Western leaders sought to craft a counter-narrative. In a parallel scene, the heads of France, Britain, Germany, and Poland visited Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, ostensibly to intensify calls for a ceasefire. Yet, rather than diverting attention from Moscow, the move only served to highlight the deepening global divide.
President Putin, undeterred, seized the moment to reaffirm Russia’s long-standing opposition to a US-led unipolar world — a stance he first articulated in his landmark 2007 Munich Security Conference speech, where he criticised the post-Cold War dominance of the United States.
Russia no longer sees itself, nor accepts being treated, as a junior partner in a global order dictated by Nato or Washington. The Victory Parade thus emerged not merely as a commemorative occasion, but as a defiant assertion of sovereignty and the rise of an alternative global narrative.
What drew these leaders to Moscow?
Each country attending the Moscow Victory Parade had its own motivations, largely shaped by national interests. In Zimbabwe’s case, its ties with Russia date back to the liberation struggle, when Moscow provided weapons and training.
Many of Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters received military training in Russia — a country that never colonised Africa and has consistently supported the continent’s resistance to neo-colonialism. Zimbabwe’s participation in Victory Day aligns with its foreign policy of advocating for a fair and balanced world order, where all nations — regardless of size or economic strength — have an equal voice.
Attending the Victory Parade did not signify anti-Western sentiment. Zimbabwe has consistently articulated a foreign policy of being “a friend to all and an enemy to none.”
The event also provided Zimbabwe with an opportunity to engage Russian counterparts on strengthening bilateral ties. In a meeting with President Mnangagwa, President Putin emphasised the need to ensure that economic relations match the strength of political ties. He highlighted opportunities in geological exploration, agriculture, and energy as key areas for expanded co-operation. A recent visit to Zimbabwe by Alrosa — the world’s largest diamond producer — exploring investment opportunities, signals the potential for deeper collaboration.
Already, on March 6, 2025, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Amon Murwira, signed comprehensive bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing trade and economic co-operation. Space technology and information and communications technology are among the key areas of focus. As President Putin remarked: “Zimbabwe has been our reliable partner on the African continent.”
In a broader context, Russia views stronger ties with Africa as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
The African delegation — including Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia and Guinea-Bissau — attended the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory in Moscow, underscoring principles of equality and mutual respect.
Russia aims to support African nations in rebuilding their economies and preventing conflict, while African leaders increasingly recognise Russia’s role in addressing the continent’s challenges.
The Victory celebrations offered a platform to explore opportunities, particularly through public-private partnerships. The attendance of 29 global leaders at Russia’s Victory Day celebrations underscores a growing reality: multipolarity is no longer a distant ideal but an emerging global norm, especially for many in the Global South, accelerated by fractures in the liberal international order.
Nations are increasingly asserting their autonomy and forging new alignments — whether with the West, China, Russia, or among themselves. For Zimbabwe, this is a pivotal moment to carefully consider its place in a rapidly evolving world order.
