Foreign troops in Putin’s parade will march beside war criminals — Ukraine's MFA

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi made the statement on April 25, according to LIGA.net.

He emphasized that Russian servicemen participating in the parade have no connection to the historic victory over Nazism and accused the Kremlin of using the event to manipulate public opinion and distort historical truth. He also specifically warned against the participation of Serbian military personnel.

"Any foreign military personnel planning to participate in this parade should be aware that they will most likely be marching side by side with individuals who have committed war crimes in Ukraine. This has nothing to do with honoring the victory over Nazism, and, by the way, it was not only Russians who contributed to it," the diplomat said.

He highlighted Ukraine's immense contribution to the victory in World War II and the millions of Ukrainian victims, stressing that Russia is attempting to diminish this role.

"Anyone — especially Russia — who attempts to downplay Ukraine’s role as one of the countries and peoples that defeated Nazism is cynically manipulating and distorting historical truth," Tykhyi added.

• Earlier this month, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his intention to attend the parade in Moscow on May 9.
• Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government invited EU leaders to Kyiv on May 9 in a show of diplomatic force against Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's annual military parade in Moscow.