Zelenskyy: China asked Ukraine not to strike Russia on Victory Day - and Kyiv kept its word
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
China and other countries requested that Ukraine refrain from striking Russian territory between May 8 and 10, as several foreign leaders were scheduled to visit Moscow. Ukraine, for its part, kept its word, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a press conference.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine received a signal from the Chinese side expressing support for a proposed 30-day ceasefire on the front line. Among the messages was a request from China and other nations urging Ukraine to avoid attacks on Russian territory during the May 8-10, due to the presence of visiting Western leaders.
"We understand what this is about. Once again, Ukraine has shown through its actions that it keeps its promises. Despite Russian propaganda, there were no strikes on the parade on May 9," Zelenskyy added.
Victory Day in Russia
Russian leader Vladimir Putin declared a so-called ceasefire on the front lines from May 8 to 11 to mark Victory Day. Ukraine, in response, proposed a broader ceasefire lasting at least 30 days. However, Russian forces continued their assaults across all fronts, with the number of attacks only increasing.
Putin’s Victory Day parade was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who called on the Kremlin leader to reach a just peace deal on Ukraine.
Notably, for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion, European politicians took part in the celebrations. Among them were Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Fico was the only EU leader to join Putin at the parade.
