Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged...

His comments came in response to remarks by Moldova"s acting President Mihai Ghimpu, who said Russia should pay compensation to Moldova "for years of Soviet occupation."

"We recognize Moldova as a sovereign and independent state. Not all of Moldova"s neighbors do the same. Its Western neighbors do not regard the Moldovan nation as a nation. If I were in Mr. Ghimpu"s shoes, that would be my principal concern. I would not use a holiday, sacred to us all, for making such insinuations," Lavrov said.

Ghimpu said on Monday he would not come to Moscow for this year"s Victory Day celebrations as he does not associate himself with the winning side of World War II.

Russia will mark the 65th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9 with its biggest ever post-Soviet demonstration of military hardware. This year is the first time that troops from other countries will take part in the parade.

STRASBOURG, April 28 (RIA Novosti)