'Don’t mess with Ukraine': MFA says world asked Ukraine not to strike Russia during parade events
Photo: Andrii Sybiha, minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine (Getty Images)
In previous years, "very influential states" asked Ukraine not to carry out strikes against Russia during parades, when their leaders were present there, states Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"Over previous years, I have collected a small set of diplomatic notes from very influential states calling on Ukraine not to carry out strikes against Russia during the May 9 parade, when their leaders were present there," he said.
The minister noted that this is an acknowledgment of Ukraine’s capabilities and a signal, "Don’t mess with Ukraine."
On the evening of May 8, US President Donald Trump stated that, at his request, Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a ceasefire on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of the month. He said it would include a 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed agreement to the ceasefire, noting that the prisoner exchange would serve as an additional argument in its favor.
In addition, the president issued a decree excluding Red Square from Ukraine’s list of targets on May 9 and allowed the aggressor state to hold its parade in Moscow. Regarding other Russian territories, Zelenskyy promised a reciprocal response.
Later, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was allegedly "not ready" for a prisoner exchange. He also expressed readiness to meet Zelenskyy outside the aggressor country, but set a condition for such a meeting.
The Kremlin website published a list of guests who attended the parade. Most of the foreign guests were representatives of unrecognized entities or self-proclaimed leaders of countries.
