内容摘要：Arelis Gomez, left, and her daughter sit in side their home on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y. (Toni Duncan via AP)

Arelis Gomez, left, and her daughter sit in side their home on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y. (Toni Duncan via AP)

Other foreign leaders who arrived in Moscow this week for the World War II anniversary celebrations included, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, as well as the leaders of Cuba, Vietnam and Venezuela, and presidents of several former Soviet nations.

In a brief opening speech at the Kremlin gala, Putin urged “solidarity in addressing the pressing challenges of our time and to take shared responsibility for future generations.”The lineup of guests reflected Russia’s efforts to cement the alliances it has forged while seeking a counterbalance to the West amid the war in Ukraine. Some past celebrations drew top Western leaders at a time of friendlier ties.Associated Press journalist Evgeniy Maloletka contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine atKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday challenged Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to meet him personally in Turkey on Thursday, the latest move in a

on the next steps in the U.S.-led peace effort.

Zelenskyy said that he still hopes for a ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, and that he will “be waiting for Putin” in Turkey “personally” after U.S. President Donald Trump insisted Ukraine accept Russia’s latest offer — to hold direct talks in Turkey on Thursday. Ukraine, along with European allies, had demanded Russia accept an unconditional 30-dayAl-Sharaa formed a transitional government that gave some positions to minorities but was dominated by his inner circle.

later broadened al-Sharaa’s powers and said Islamic law would remain at the heart of legislation for a five-year interim period. Al-Sharaa argued that the measures were needed to stabilize the country, while many critics viewed it as a power grab.“It appears that many of the steps taken have been rushed and performative rather than offering genuine meaningful change in Syria,” said Lara Nelson, policy director at the Syrian research and policy group Etana. “There are concerns about authoritarian consolidation.”

The biggest test for al-Sharaa came in early March, when the country witnessed itsAfter security forces crushed an armed rebellion, apparently led by Assad loyalists, on the mostly Alawite Mediterranean coast, fighters loyal to the new government carried out a wave of revenge killings.