U.S. President George W. Bush was given a seat of honor for celebrations in Moscow's Red Square marking 60 years since the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. He joined Russian President Vladimir Putin for Monday's Red Square parade and ceremonies. Bush was among more than 50 dignitaries to attend. Others included Chinese President Hu Jintao, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. After the parade, Putin led Bush and other mourners to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall, where they laid red carnations. On Sunday night, Bush and Putin met privately and addressed U.S. concerns that Russia is moving away from democracy. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters the two men were "straightforward. They say what they mean and then they act on that." Putin called Bush his guest of "special importance" above all others, and gave the U.S. president the seat of honor next to the Russian leader, according to The Associated Press. About 2,500 veterans from World War II were among the marchers, and thousands of others unable to march were driven in vehicles.
