North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to make his first foreign trip since taking power three years ago , after accepting an invitation from Russia . He is among 26 world leaders who have agreed to attend celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union 's victory over Nazi Germany . North Korea has not officially commented , but its leader 's planned visit was today confirmed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov . Scroll down for video . First trip : North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accepted an invitation from Russia to attend celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union 's victory over Nazi Germany . Event planning : Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting of the Victory Day celebrations organising committee in the Kremlin today . The announcement comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin reappeared in public after an unusually long 10-day absence that unleashed frenzied speculation about his whereabouts . The highlight of the May 9 celebrations will be a military parade in the Red Square overseen by President Putin . It is an annual event that will be expanded this year to include 15,000 troops , cadets and Cossacks , according to Russia 's defense minister . Several Western leaders have snubbed invitations to the military parade because of Russia 's role in the Ukraine conflict . German Chancellor Angela Merkel is among those staying away from the parade , but she softened the snub by deciding to visit Moscow the next day for a separate ceremony with Putin . Victory Day : Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting to plan the May celebrations marking the end of World War Two . The foreign minister said Merkel 's decision to come to Moscow has helped to wreck the 'anti-Russian campaign ' . He said some European leaders were still expected to come , including those from Slovakia , Norway , Greece and several Balkan nations . In addition to Kim , the leaders of China , Cuba , India , Mongolia , South Africa and Vietnam have confirmed their attendance . Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday reappeared in public after an unusually long 10-day absence that unleashed frenzied speculation about the whereabouts and health of the Russian strongman . Looking pale , Putin met with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev at the sumptuous Konstantinov 's Palace just outside Saint Petersburg , an AFP correspondent reported . Putin , commenting on suggestions that he had been forced to lie low because of ill health , said that life without gossip would be 'boring ' . Vlad 's back : President Vladimir Putin on Monday reappeared in public in a meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev ( left ) after a 10-day absence . He refused to explain his absence since March 5 . The Bishkek leader claimed Putin was fit - and in macho mode . 'The president of Russia is n't just walking , he 's hot-rodding around , driving his guests around behind the wheel , ' said Atambayev . 'Vladimir Vladimirovich ( Putin ) just drove me around the territory . That 's just so there 's no rumours . ' Putin 's absence occurred amid rumours of illness , a coup , or his Olympic gymnast 'lover ' Alina Kabayeva giving birth to a child in Switzerland . He vanished soon after aides to one of his key allies were blamed for ordering the assassination of one of the Kremlin 's most outspoken critics , Boris Nemtsov .
Kim Jong Un to make first foreign trip since taking power three years ago . He is among 26 world leaders who have accepted an invitation from Russia . Celebrations will mark anniversary of Soviet Union 's victory over the German . Several Western leaders have snubbed invitations to the military parade . Announcement comes just a day after President Putin reappeared in public .