Last Updated: Thursday, 5 May, 2005, 15:26 GMT 16:26 UK
Russia denies Baltic 'occupation'
An artist carries a canvas in front of a police line near the Monument of freedom during the 15th anniversary of the proclamation of the country's independence in Riga, Latvia
The Baltic-Russian row has escalated ahead of VE Day
Russia has denied it illegally annexed the Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1940.
It has also rejected demands to admit illegally occupying the three countries at the end of World War II.
A Kremlin spokesman said Soviet troops were deployed with the agreement of the Baltic governments of the time.
Correspondents say the annexation issue has provoked a major diplomatic row as Russia prepares to host celebrations to mark the end of World War II in Europe.
Soviet authority was established in the Baltics in 1940.
German forces then held the states from 1941 until the Soviet army returned in 1945.
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