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Czech President Miloš Zeman was among around 30 Russian and foreign politicians to take part in a memorial event to the victims of WWII in Moscow on Saturday. Mr. Zeman laid a wreath of red carnations at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Park by the walls of the Kremlin. After the memorial the Czech head of state attended a reception hosted by President Vladimir Putin, speaking informally with the presidents of China, India, Egypt and Vietnam, according to his spokesman. He did not attend a Victory Day parade in the Russian capital. Later on Saturday Mr. Zeman had a half-hour meeting with Mr. Putin.

A group of Czech veterans who fought on the Eastern Front during WWII have had a meeting in Moscow with more than 50 Russian soldiers who fought alongside them and took part in the liberation of Czechoslovakia. The eight Czech veterans have accompanied Czech President Miloš Zeman to the Russian capital for events celebrating the end of the conflict. Speaking in Russian, Mr. Zeman said shortly after arriving in the city on Friday evening that he had come to pay respect not only to those who had fallen in the liberation of Czechoslovakia but to all Soviet citizens, soldiers and civilians, who had lost their lives during the war.

Cities and towns across the Czech Republic marked the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe on Friday. Seventy years ago Germany signed the official capitulation ending the war. The main commemoration took take place in Prague at the Vítkov memorial with president Miloš Zeman and Minister of Defense Martin Stropnický attending along with veterans from the war. In Prague various events were held including a reconstruction of an army camp at the end of the war, barricades recalling the Prague uprising, and street exhibitions highlighting the lives of soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict. Although the war officially ended on May 8, fighting continued in former Czechoslovakia as retreating German forces tried to reach US lines in the West ahead of the advancing Russians. Friday is a national holiday.

Several thousand people, including war veterans and politicians, attended an event in Pilsen on Wednesday night marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the West Bohemian city at the end of WWII by General Patton’s Army. The gathering, held at the Thanks, America! monument was a culmination of the five-day Freedom Celebrations. This year’s celebrations were the biggest in 25 years, and included dozens of cultural events, re-enactments of battles and military parades.

Members of the Russian motorbike gang the Night Wolves have attended a ceremony in the Orthodox section of Prague’s Olšaný cemetery honouring the victims of WWII. Around 15 people wearing the emblems of the gang attended Wednesday’s ceremony. Police intervened to break up clashes between the bikers and opponents at the entrance to the cemetery, where supporters were also gathered. Czech officials said the controversial Night Wolves, who are close to Russian president Vladimir Putin, would need a permit to cross the Czech Republic.

At a ceremony at Prague Castle President Miloš Zeman underlined the courage of those who fought for their liberty in the Prague Uprising despite the fact that the liberating US and Russian forces were near and they could have waited for their freedom. The president also spoke of the heroes who had fought with the western allies and were mercilessly persecuted and jailed by the communists in the 50s. No free and democratic country jails its heroes, the president said.

A memorial ceremony was held in front of Czech Radio on Tuesday marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the Prague Uprising. There was a fierce battle for control of the station during the insurgence, which saw thousands of Czechs take up arms against the Nazi occupiers in the dying days of the war.

The city of Plzeň has this week been celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The West Bohemian industrial city was liberated by US units commanded by the legendary George S. Patton as well as Belgian soldiers attached to the US army.

The Czech capital is marking the 70th anniversary of the Prague Uprising. On May 5th of 1945 Prague citizens rose up against the collapsing Nazi regime and some 3,000 people were killed in the fighting before Russian troops liberated the city four days later. A commemorative ceremony attended by Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka took place at Czech Radio, which played a crucial role in the uprising. Later in the day there will be celebrations and a video mapping on Old Town Square and a concert for 1,800 people at Prague’s Congress Centre.

Events marking the end of WW II are taking place around the country. Czech Radio, located in Prague’s Vinohrady district, played an important role in the Prague Uprising and a raging battle took place outside the radio building as citizens responded to a desperate radio appeal for them to help defend the station. On the 70th anniversary of the Battle for Czech Radio the country’s public broadcaster has organized a series of events for the public. Czech Radio’s spokesman Jiri Hošna explains what will be taking place.