May 7, 2026
Zelensky urges foreign officials to skip Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged foreign governments to stay away from Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
TL;DR
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged foreign governments to not attend Moscow's Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
- Zelensky described Russia's actions and logic as strange and irrational, noting continued strikes after a proposed ceasefire.
- Leaders from Belarus, Malaysia, Laos, and partially recognized states Abkhazia and South Ossetia are expected to attend.
- Russia had announced a unilateral ceasefire from May 8-10, which Ukraine rejected with its own proposal for a truce starting May 6.
- Russia's Defense Ministry threatened a large-scale missile strike on Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted Victory Day celebrations.
- Over 20 Russian cities canceled Victory Day parades, with others holding events without military hardware.