Never before in history have active-duty American troops been invited to march in the Victory Day parade, according to the United States military. The occasion is the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, a date that carries an almost sacred meaning in Russia. Russian leaders have taken pains to explain that the Americans -- along with contingents from Britain, France and Poland -- were invited as representatives of the "anti-Hitler coalition." Not for nothing are they explaining. While more than half of Russians greeted the invitation with approval or enthusiasm, according to an April poll by the independent Levada Center, the sentiment was not universal. In a country that still regards NATONATO boots on Red Square!" -- The New York Times
Ukrainian troops march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, late Sunday, May 2, 2010. The troops from 13 countries, the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine, have arrived in Moscow to prepare for the Victory Day parade in on May 9 to mark the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. AP / Sergey Ponomarev
A Russian military band marches during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, late Tuesday, May 4, 2010. AP / Alexander Zemlianichenko
Russian military vehicles roll during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, late Tuesday, May 4, 2010, with the Historical Museum at the background. AP / Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr.
Commuters ride aboard a bus decorated to mark the upcoming Victory Day celebrations, with a portrait of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Russians will mark the end of World War II on May 9. AP / Dmitry Lovetsky
Belarus WW II veterans arrive at a train station in Moscow on May 7, 2010 to participate in upcoming 65th anniversary of World War II Victory Day celebrations on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Victor Drachev
A Russian boy watches armoured vehicles during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. Troops from four NATO states will march through Red Square for the first time as Russia marks the 65th anniversary of the World War II victory with its biggest parade since the Soviet collapse. AFP / Getty Images / Petr Alexandrovich
Russian WWII-era T-34 tanks drive through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
People take pictures in front of Belarus armoured vehicles as they prepare to drive through the city during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Minsk on May 6, 2010. Belarus will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Victor Drachev
A couple kisses as Belarus armoured vehicles drive through the city during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Minsk on May 6, 2010. Belarus will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Victor Drachev
A Russian soldier stand guard as United States C. Company, 2 Battalion, 18 Infantry Regiment, 170 Infantry Brigade Combat Team troops march during an award ceremony to representatives of World War II allied countries in Moscow, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Military personnel from 20 countries are to march for the first time on Red Square on May 9, the day Russians celebrate as Victory Day. AP / Sergey Ponomarev
Ukrainian and Russian sailers wearing in World War II-era Soviet soldiers' uniforms march during a parade rehearsal in the central Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Both of the fleets will march together on May 9, during Victory Day parade marking the 65th anniversary of WW II ending. AFP / Getty Images / Sergei Supinsky
A boy reacts as he looks out through Ukrainian sailors staying in line up to watch a joint Ukrainian-Russian navy parade rehearsal in the central Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The fleets will march together on May 9 during a Victory Day parade marking 65th anniversary of World War II ending. AFP / Getty Images / Sergei Supinsky
US soldiers march through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. Troops from four NATO states will march through Red Square for the first time as Russia marks the 65th anniversary of the World War II victory with its biggest parade since the Soviet collapse. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev walks past World War II veterans during a flowers laying ceremony at the monument to Soviet soldiers killed fighting Nazi troops in Nov. 1941, near Volokolamsk, 100 km (62.5 miles) west of Moscow, Friday, May 7, 2010. Russia will celebrate Victory in World War II on May 9. AP / Dmitry Astakhov
Russian World War II veterans hold flowers during a ceremony at a monument to World War II victims on the outskirts of Moscow, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. AP / Ivan Sekretarev
Youth from Moscow with Russian flags arrive at a wreath laying ceremony of Russian and of former Soviet states representatives in Germany, at the eve of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, in Berlin, Friday, May 7, 2010. Around 7,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in the fight to take Berlin in 1945 and were buried at the memorial. With the capitulation of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, World War II ended in Europe. AP / Markus Schreiber
Ukrainian police officers march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade which will take place on May 9 to celebrate 65 years since the victory in World War II, in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 4, 2010. AP / Sergei Chuzavkov
Russian honor guards particpate in a ceremony to light the "Eternal Flame of Memory and Glory" at Victory Park in Moscow on April 30, 2010. In the run up to 65th anniversary May 9 Victory Day celebrations, Moscow city authorities installed a second eternal flame monument, lit off the original located at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin. AFP / Getty Images / Andrei Smirnov
Russian fighter jets leave a smoke trail in the colors of the state flag, as they fly over the Moscow's Kremlin during general rehearsals ahead of the upcoming Victory Day Parade, in Moscow on Thursday, May 6, 2010. Russians will celebrate Victory in World War II on May 9. AP / Misha Japaridze
Russian MiG-29, Il-78, and Tu-95 planes fly over a statue of Russian historical figures Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. Troops from four NATO states will march through Red Square for the first time as Russia marks the 65th anniversary of the World War II victory with its biggest parade since the Soviet collapse. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
Russian MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets release flares while flying over the Kremlin near Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Andrey Smirnov
Russian enthusiasts reenact historic battles against a World War II tank on the outskirts of Moscow, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. AP / Ivan Sekretarev
Russian soldiers march through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
A woman looks at posters devoted to Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 3, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of of the end of World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Andrey Smirnov
A Russian woman cries while visiting a military cemetary in Moscow where numerous veterans of World War II are buried on May 7, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Alexey Sazonov
Ukrainian troops march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, late Sunday, May 2, 2010. The troops from 13 countries, the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine, have arrived in Moscow to prepare for the Victory Day parade in on May 9 to mark the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II. AP / Sergey Ponomarev
A Russian military band marches during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, late Tuesday, May 4, 2010. AP / Alexander Zemlianichenko
Russian military vehicles roll during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Moscow Red Square, late Tuesday, May 4, 2010, with the Historical Museum at the background. AP / Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr.
Commuters ride aboard a bus decorated to mark the upcoming Victory Day celebrations, with a portrait of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Russians will mark the end of World War II on May 9. AP / Dmitry Lovetsky
Belarus WW II veterans arrive at a train station in Moscow on May 7, 2010 to participate in upcoming 65th anniversary of World War II Victory Day celebrations on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Victor Drachev
A Russian boy watches armoured vehicles during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. Troops from four NATO states will march through Red Square for the first time as Russia marks the 65th anniversary of the World War II victory with its biggest parade since the Soviet collapse. AFP / Getty Images / Petr Alexandrovich
Russian WWII-era T-34 tanks drive through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
People take pictures in front of Belarus armoured vehicles as they prepare to drive through the city during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Minsk on May 6, 2010. Belarus will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Victor Drachev
A couple kisses as Belarus armoured vehicles drive through the city during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Minsk on May 6, 2010. Belarus will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Victor Drachev
A Russian soldier stand guard as United States C. Company, 2 Battalion, 18 Infantry Regiment, 170 Infantry Brigade Combat Team troops march during an award ceremony to representatives of World War II allied countries in Moscow, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Military personnel from 20 countries are to march for the first time on Red Square on May 9, the day Russians celebrate as Victory Day. AP / Sergey Ponomarev
Ukrainian and Russian sailers wearing in World War II-era Soviet soldiers' uniforms march during a parade rehearsal in the central Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Both of the fleets will march together on May 9, during Victory Day parade marking the 65th anniversary of WW II ending. AFP / Getty Images / Sergei Supinsky
A boy reacts as he looks out through Ukrainian sailors staying in line up to watch a joint Ukrainian-Russian navy parade rehearsal in the central Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The fleets will march together on May 9 during a Victory Day parade marking 65th anniversary of World War II ending. AFP / Getty Images / Sergei Supinsky
US soldiers march through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. Troops from four NATO states will march through Red Square for the first time as Russia marks the 65th anniversary of the World War II victory with its biggest parade since the Soviet collapse. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev walks past World War II veterans during a flowers laying ceremony at the monument to Soviet soldiers killed fighting Nazi troops in Nov. 1941, near Volokolamsk, 100 km (62.5 miles) west of Moscow, Friday, May 7, 2010. Russia will celebrate Victory in World War II on May 9. AP / Dmitry Astakhov
Russian World War II veterans hold flowers during a ceremony at a monument to World War II victims on the outskirts of Moscow, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. AP / Ivan Sekretarev
Youth from Moscow with Russian flags arrive at a wreath laying ceremony of Russian and of former Soviet states representatives in Germany, at the eve of the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, in Berlin, Friday, May 7, 2010. Around 7,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in the fight to take Berlin in 1945 and were buried at the memorial. With the capitulation of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, World War II ended in Europe. AP / Markus Schreiber
Ukrainian police officers march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade which will take place on May 9 to celebrate 65 years since the victory in World War II, in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 4, 2010. AP / Sergei Chuzavkov
Russian honor guards particpate in a ceremony to light the "Eternal Flame of Memory and Glory" at Victory Park in Moscow on April 30, 2010. In the run up to 65th anniversary May 9 Victory Day celebrations, Moscow city authorities installed a second eternal flame monument, lit off the original located at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin. AFP / Getty Images / Andrei Smirnov
Russian fighter jets leave a smoke trail in the colors of the state flag, as they fly over the Moscow's Kremlin during general rehearsals ahead of the upcoming Victory Day Parade, in Moscow on Thursday, May 6, 2010. Russians will celebrate Victory in World War II on May 9. AP / Misha Japaridze
Russian MiG-29, Il-78, and Tu-95 planes fly over a statue of Russian historical figures Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of Allied forces' victory over the Hitler coalition in World War II on May 9. Troops from four NATO states will march through Red Square for the first time as Russia marks the 65th anniversary of the World War II victory with its biggest parade since the Soviet collapse. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
Russian MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets release flares while flying over the Kremlin near Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Andrey Smirnov
Russian enthusiasts reenact historic battles against a World War II tank on the outskirts of Moscow, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. AP / Ivan Sekretarev
Russian soldiers march through Red Square during a Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow on May 6, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Alexander Nemenov
A woman looks at posters devoted to Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 3, 2010. Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of of the end of World War II on May 9. AFP / Getty Images / Andrey Smirnov
A Russian woman cries while visiting a military cemetary in Moscow where numerous veterans of World War II are buried on May 7, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Alexey Sazonov
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