Foreign Nationals Advised Against Visiting Moscow on May 9, Says Zelenskyy

Statement from Ukraine's President

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged foreign representatives to avoid being in Moscow on May 9. This warning follows Ukraine's proposal for a ceasefire starting May 6, which was met with fresh attacks and threats from Russian forces. According to Zelenskyy,

“Ukraine was ready to ensure complete silence, but in response to this peaceful offer, there were only new Russian strikes and new threats from Russia.”

Over a single day, Russian troops shelled Ukraine's defensive line stretching from Chernihiv to Mykolaiv regions. The attacks hit civilian trains, energy infrastructure, and residential buildings. Zelenskyy noted that

“just in one day, the Russians struck along the entire perimeter of our defensive line.”

He emphasized that 'the trains targeted were ordinary civilian trains, with no military purpose whatsoever.'

Context of the Commemoration

As Russia prepares to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazism, it has announced a unilateral ceasefire from midnight on May 8 through May 10. Despite this, 15 Russian regions have officially canceled their military parades scheduled for May 9. These regions include:

• Belgorod
• Voronezh
• Kursk
• Bryansk
• Rostov
• Ryazan
• Saratov
• Kaluga
• Oryol
• Pskov
• Novgorod
• Nizhny Novgorod
• Leningrad
• Krasnodar Krai
• Chuvashia

Zelenskyy also remarked that 'the Russians want Ukraine’s permission to hold their parade, so they can safely gather in the square for one hour once a year, and then go back to killing, killing our people, and waging war.' He expressed bewilderment at the desire of some nations with close ties to Russia to be present in Moscow during these days, adding: 'We do not recommend it.'

This statement from Zelenskyy highlights the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in light of recent military actions. At the same time, Russia’s decision to cancel military parades in numerous regions may indicate internal security concerns or logistical issues. These developments could shape international policy and Ukraine’s relations with other countries, as the call to avoid Moscow sends a clear signal against normalizing ties with Russia amid ongoing aggression.

In light of the ongoing hostilities, it is crucial to understand the scale of Russian aggression. Recently, Zelenskyy reported a staggering 1,820 violations of the ceasefire by Russian forces within just one day, underscoring the volatility of the situation. This alarming statistic adds context to the urgency of Zelenskyy's warning for foreign nationals considering travel to Moscow during this tense period.