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| VE Day: Europe marks 75th anniversary while under lockdown | VE Day: Europe marks 75th anniversary while under lockdown |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Leaders across Europe are marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day, as much of the continent remains under lockdown due to coronavirus. | Leaders across Europe are marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day, as much of the continent remains under lockdown due to coronavirus. |
| A two-minute silence will be held in the UK, followed by an address from the Queen. | A two-minute silence will be held in the UK, followed by an address from the Queen. |
| Closed ceremonies are also being held by the leaders of France and Germany, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel. | Closed ceremonies are also being held by the leaders of France and Germany, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel. |
| Other events are also being held, but large public gatherings remain forbidden. | Other events are also being held, but large public gatherings remain forbidden. |
| On 8 May 1945 Britain and its Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender after almost six years of war. | On 8 May 1945 Britain and its Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender after almost six years of war. |
| To mark the occasion, President Macron will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Paris - the ceremony closed to all but a small group of officials. | To mark the occasion, President Macron will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Paris - the ceremony closed to all but a small group of officials. |
| Chancellor Merkel will also lead a ceremony at Germany's central War Memorial. In Berlin, residents have been given an unprecedented public holiday, although this in not in place across the rest of the country. | Chancellor Merkel will also lead a ceremony at Germany's central War Memorial. In Berlin, residents have been given an unprecedented public holiday, although this in not in place across the rest of the country. |
| A similar celebration, known as Victory Day, is held on 9 May in several former Soviet countries including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. | A similar celebration, known as Victory Day, is held on 9 May in several former Soviet countries including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin had planned to hold a major parade in Moscow on Saturday, attended by President Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping. But the event - showcasing over 15,000 troops - has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| Instead, a military flyover will take place and Mr Putin will lay flowers at a war memorial near Moscow's Red Square. | Instead, a military flyover will take place and Mr Putin will lay flowers at a war memorial near Moscow's Red Square. |