Ukraine cannot ensure the security of foreign officials who plan to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on Friday, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Our stance remains straightforward regarding all nations traveling to Russia on May 9th: we cannot bear responsibility for any events within the Russian Federation," stated the Ukrainian president on Saturday.
They hold accountability for your security. We cannot offer any assurances, as we are unsure of Russia’s actions during those specific days.
This comment led to increased diplomatic strain with Slovakia, where Prime Minister Robert Fico—who has a pro-Moscow stance—criticised Zelenskyy’s warning.
“I dismiss these kinds of threats due to security concerns,” Fico stated on Monday. “I completely acknowledge that the well-being of attendees falls within the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. However, if President Zelenskyy thinks that his comments will deter international delegates from attending, he is significantly misguided.”
It remains uncertain whether Fico will participate in the parade. Following the cancellation of several public engagements by the Slovak Prime Minister, such as the official Labour Day celebrations, there has been speculation suggesting he may also skip the event in Moscow.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who intended to travel to Moscow along with Fico, became unwell during his recent visit to the United States. This forced him to abbreviate his journey and return to Belgrade, resulting in a brief stay at the hospital.
Only Fico and Vučić, among European leaders, declared they would attend Russia’s Victory Day parade, prompting strong disapproval from the European Union. For Vučić specifically, Brussels responded with a clear caution, suggesting that his attendance could contravene EU membership conditions and adversely affect Serbia’s application for entry into the 27-nation union.
While European politicians may not attend, Moscow’s key supporter and perhaps the most significant attendee will be present.
The Kremlin announced on Sunday that Chinese President Xi Jinping will undertake an official trip to Russia from May 7 to 10. He will attend festivities marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.
How secure will the parade be?
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a temporary truce of three days between 7 and 9 May amid the Victory Day festivities in Ukraine. However, this proposal was firmly rejected by Kyiv. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy described it as nothing more than a “show” aimed at alleviating Russia’s diplomatic seclusion and fostering a positive ambiance for Moscow’s Victory Day commemorations.
Zelenskyy allegedly stated that the proposal was not a genuine effort to conclude the conflict and reaffirmed Ukraine’s backing of a US-supported plan advocating for an unconditional 30-day truce.
The President of Ukraine cautioned that Russia’s past record of breaching temporary ceasefires erodes confidence in its most recent proposal.
He stated, 'They continue killing up till May 7th, take a break for a few comfortable days, and then resume their attacks on the 11th,'.
On Monday, just days ahead of the parade, while rehearsals were underway in Moscow, officials stated that four drones were apprehended as they attempted to enter the city overnight.
Based on initial reports, there were no casualties or structural damages caused by the fallen debris, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s statement on the Telegram platform.
This wasn’t the first time Ukrainian drones reached Moscow. In mid-March, the city authorities reported the biggest drone attack with over 70 drones shot down according to the Russian air defence and Moscow authorities.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian drones can now fly way beyond that and reach a range of 3,000 km.
Kyiv has been employing long-range drones to attack targets far inside Russian territory, focusing on military installations such as airbases, oil processing facilities, storage areas, and logistics centers.
Russia has decided against holding the Victory parade in the occupied Crimean city of Sevastopol. According to the Kremlin-backed governor of Sevastopol, the event won’t occur because of potential safety concerns.
The announcement comes following a reported Ukrainian sea drone strike which destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near the port of Novorossiysk last Friday.
Ukraine’s military intelligence described it as "an unprecedented operation," marking the first time a sea drone downed a jet aircraft.
It is the third time in a row that the parade has been cancelled in Sevastopol. The occupied port city last held it in 2022, shortly after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Why is Victory Day such a big deal for Putin?
For Moscow, 9 May is more than a victory fete. Under Putin, it has become one of the most important public holidays and a grand demonstration of Russia’s military power.
It has become even more symbolic since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, as the Kremlin has been using the imagery and narratives of World War II to describe and back its all-out invasion.
In its conflict with Ukraine, Russia has revived numerous catchphrases and emblems similar to those employed by the Soviet Union during World War II, like "We Can Do It Again" or "It Will Repeat", which have been frequently utilized by Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
Likewise, the orange-and-black St George’s ribbon, once a symbol of triumph during WWII, has transformed into one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia’s all-out assault on Ukraine. It is now commonly worn by those who support Moscow’s military action against the neighboring nation.
Moscow has intentionally connected these two stories through language as well, employing ornate vocabulary to craft a lofty alternative phraseology. For instance, they refer to their comprehensive assault on Ukraine as a "special military operation," akin to how World War II is termed the "Great Patriotic War" within Russia.
Putin has consistently asserted that “the Soviet people were battling solo” during World War II, overlooking the role of their allies.
Upon initiating the extensive invasion of Ukraine, he claimed that the main objectives were the "de-nazification" of the nation and the "battle against fascism." However, Putin has yet to provide any substantiation for these assertions.
The widespread adoption of this rhetoric and Putin’s emphasis on Victory Day has led to a specific term in Russian: "pobedobesie," which is a derisive term referring to exaggeratedly grandiose commemorations, or victory mania.
Ukraine has moved away from Soviet-era commemorations and dates. In 2023, Zelenskyy signed a law shifting Ukraine's World War II memorial observance to 8 May, aligning it with much of Europe.