Vladimir Putin is the first leader to decline Greece’s invitation to the bicentennial independence celebration, honouring 200 years of Greece’s independence.
The Russian President is one of three leadership representatives for the remembrance of the Battle of Navarino, a battle which saw British, French and Russian soldiers unite to defeat Ottoman warships.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiototopoulos had announced earlier in the week that Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prince Charles had received invitations to attend the parade as representatives of the three countries that contributed to the liberation of Greece.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov said on Friday that Putin has no plans to visit Athens to attend the parade.
In October of 2020, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis is said to have personally invited the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the festivities, during his visit in Athens.
It is understood that the parade will go ahead with strict coronavirus restrictions in place in order to prevent further spread of the virus.
