Eleven presidents of Central and Eastern Europe will join Polish head of state Bronisław Komorowski in Gdańsk on 7-8 May honouring 70 years since Victory in Europe Day.

The plans have rankled Russia owing to a series of snubs by EU leaders who will not attend Moscow's own tribute on 9 May.

Poland's commemorations will be held on the Westerplatte peninsula, Gdańsk, where Nazi Germany launched its attack on Poland in September 1939, thus opening World War II.

Besides the 11 CEE presidents – including President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko - it is expected that several other leaders from across Europe, among them President of France Francois Hollande, will attend.

The French Ambassador in Poland Pierre Buhler told TVN on Thursday that at present he could ''neither confirm nor deny'' Hollande's participation.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Palace in Warsaw has indicated that a member of the British royal family will also attend.

Besides the focal ceremonies, noted historians including Professor Norman Davies and Professor Władysław Bartoszewski will take part in a debate at Westerplatte on 7 May.

VE Day (8 May), marks the official surrender of Nazi Germany after close to 6 years of war in Europe. (nh)

Source: TVN