President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned foreign leaders and diplomats against attending the Russian Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9, 2024 [2].

The warning highlights the volatile security environment and the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough between Kyiv and Moscow. By discouraging international attendance, Ukraine aims to signal that Russia's military displays are incompatible with the reality of ongoing hostilities.

Zelenskyy issued the statement on the evening of May 7, 2024 [1]. He said that Russia has not honored a ceasefire proposal submitted by Ukraine on May 6, 2024 [1]. According to Zelenskyy, the continued Russian attacks and threats make the presence of foreign representatives in the capital unsafe.

Zelenskyy described the situation as a "cynical attempt to guarantee a safe parade in Moscow" [4]. He said that Russia is seeking the legitimacy and safety that comes with international presence while remaining unwilling to stop the war.

"Do not go to the parade," Zelenskyy said [3].

He said that Russia is seeking a "permit for a safe parade, but is not ready to stop the war" [4]. The Ukrainian president reminded the international community of the ongoing strikes, and the strategic risks associated with traveling to Moscow during this period.

The Victory Parade is a significant annual event for Russia, serving as a projection of military power and national unity. However, Zelenskyy said that the event is a facade that ignores the current state of conflict and the failure of recent peace overtures.

“Do not go to the parade.”

This warning serves as a diplomatic maneuver to isolate Russia and strip the Victory Parade of international legitimacy. By linking the travel warning to the rejected May 6 ceasefire proposal, Ukraine frames Russia as an aggressor that prioritizes military spectacle over genuine peace negotiations, potentially pressuring neutral nations to reconsider their engagement with the Kremlin.