VE Day 80: Europe marks end of WWII as conflict rages on the continent

At 3pm on this day 80 years ago, Winston Churchill announced World War Two in Europe had come to an end.

VE Day was declared after Britain and its allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s surrender after almost six years of war.

Millions of people rejoiced in the news, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

But it was not the end of the conflict, nor was it an end to the impact the war had on people.

The war against Japan did not end until August 1945, and the political, social and economic repercussions of the Second World War were felt long after Germany and Japan surrendered.

Eight decades on and there is once again war in Europe following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Amid nationwide celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, there have been words of caution about forgetting the lessons of the past.

Members of the public are pictured on the Mall ahead of the VE Day procession on May 4, 2025. Getty Images

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the conflict in Ukraine shows the Second World War is not “just history”.

Speaking to the We Have Ways Of Making You Talk podcast in 10 Downing Street, Starmer said the day was “a hugely important part of our history, of which we should be extremely proud as a country”.

He said: “I’ve got children who live in peace and in a democracy as a result of other people, which is incredible.

“And then, you know, the reminder with the Ukrainian contingent in the procession, that the idea that this was all just history and it doesn’t matter now, somehow is completely wrong.

“Those values of freedom and democracy matter today.”

Great Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union were Allies during the Second World War – united in their desire to defeat Nazi Germany.

But relations between London and Moscow are not in a good place in 2025

Britain and France have been at the forefront of the coalition, and planning for a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine should a ceasefire be agreed between Kyiv and Moscow.

As VE Day is commemorated across the UK, Ukrainians in Scotland have been reflecting on the continuing conflict in their homeland.

Taras Harasyn told STV News: “I know people now who are in the army in Ukraine – they are like the people we remember from the Second World War.

“When I talk to those Ukrainian soldiers, they would never see just remembering them for one day, or one week, in the year is enough.

“It’s not that we need to remember – we need to know those people. We need to think about it and know that their lives are the price of our freedom.”

Attacks by Ukrainian long-range drones caused flight disruption at Moscow’s main airports for a third consecutive day on Wednesday, authorities said.

Although Ukrainian drones have targeted Moscow in the past, the sustained attacks appeared designed to disrupt preparations for the 80th anniversary celebrations in Moscow marking victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War — Russia’s biggest secular holiday of the year.

The repeated assaults could unnerve Russians, who have been told by President Vladimir Putin that the more-than-three-year war with Ukraine is going well, as well as potentially embarrass him in front of his illustrious guests.

Russia plans a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with the celebrations in Moscow. In March, the United States proposed a 30-day truce in the war, which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for ceasefire terms more to its liking.

Silence to remember those who fought

UK Government buildings and departments will remember and thank those who fought with a silence at noon on Thursday, with other organisations invited to follow suit.

Royal Navy veteran Charles Horne is among those who fought in the Second World War.

The 99-year-old from Port Seaton was on a minesweeper for D-Day – clearing the seas of explosives for the American landings – wrote a diary detailing the experience.

After D-Day, he continued to clear mines across Europe. On VE Da,y he was in the Belgian city of Ostend.

But the war didn’t finish there for Charlie as he was sent to the Far East, where the war with Japan continued.

Charlie was demobbed in 1946.

Kevin Murphy, 90, was just ten when the war ended.

His older brother Jim joined the Army when he was 18 in 1942, serving in Egypt with the Desert Rats.

Kevin says he was in school in Crieff when he heard that the war was over.

“We all celebrated because a lot of people had brothers in the Army,” he told STV News. “Everyone was out, there were flags all over the place and the big difference was all the lights went on at night.

“Before you would be wandering about in the dark.”

VE celebrations draw to a close with concert on Thursday

Singer Victor Ray is to perform for the King at a VE Day concert held near his former busking spot.

Four days of celebration across the nation began on Monday to mark 80 years since victory in Europe was declared in the Second World War.

Concluding the celebrations on Thursday evening, the Ugandan-born musician, raised in Newcastle, will perform Nat King Cole’s Smile alongside a 45-piece orchestra and 30-person choir at Horse Guards Parade in London.

The concert’s location is close to Piccadilly Circus, which is where Ray used to busk while launching his music career.

Ray said: “I mean, when you think about it, it’s crazy. I used to sing on the streets just up the road from here. To be performing at this event, on this stage, is a moment I genuinely never saw coming.”

He added: “I am so grateful to be part of this historic event, and singing such a classic song to remember the moment the Second World War ended. It’s a real honour to be a part of the celebrations.”

Actor Timothy Spall began VE Day commemorations in London on Monday by reading extracts of then prime minister Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech to the nation on May 8, 1945.

Monday also saw a military procession and flypast in central London as well as a street party held at Downing Street.