President Volodymyr Zelensky advised foreign leaders not to attend the Moscow Victory Parade on May 9, 2024 [2].
The request comes as Ukraine seeks to isolate Russia diplomatically following continued strikes on civilian infrastructure. By urging a boycott of the military celebration, Zelensky aims to signal that the international community does not recognize the legitimacy of Russia's current military actions.
Zelensky spoke from Kyiv on the evening of May 7, 2024 [1], following a missile strike on Bila Tserkva that occurred earlier that day [1]. The president used the address to condemn President Vladimir Putin's strategy, saying that Putin is fighting schools, markets, and residential buildings [1].
During the statement, Zelensky referenced the missile that hit Bila Tserkva and directed a sharp critique toward the Russian leader. He said, "It is important that this ‘old Orjeshnik’ in Moscow finally says the word ‘peace’" [1].
The Ukrainian president's remarks emphasize a pattern of targeting non-military sites. He said that while the Kremlin prepares for celebratory parades, the reality on the ground involves the destruction of civilian life [1].
Zelensky specifically targeted the optics of the May 9 parade, which traditionally commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II [2]. He said, "We do not recommend foreign leaders to attend the parade in Moscow on May 9" [1].
The appeal for a boycott is part of a broader effort to pressure the Kremlin into negotiations. Zelensky said that the global community should demand a cessation of hostilities rather than participating in Russian state displays of military power [1].
“"We do not recommend foreign leaders to attend the parade in Moscow on May 9."”
Zelensky's call for a boycott of the Victory Parade is a strategic attempt to weaponize international diplomatic norms. By linking the celebration of historical victory over fascism to current attacks on civilian targets in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine seeks to frame Russia's military posture as contradictory to the values the parade claims to honor, thereby increasing the political cost for any foreign leader who chooses to attend.
