Chinese President Xi Jinping’s presence at the parade gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a boost as he tries to show that he is not isolated on the global stage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is celebrating Russia’s Victory Day on Friday surrounded by friendly world leaders, watching as thousands of troops marched in a parade at Moscow’s Red Square.

Vladimir Putin has led Russia's Victory Day commemorations with a parade in Red Square, amid heightened security following Ukrainian strikes on Moscow. China's Xi Jinping joined the Russian president as he told thousands of soldiers that Russia remembered the lessons of World War Two.