Ukraine issues démarche over foreign leaders at May 9 Moscow parade

The MFA of Ukraine reported.

An official protest was lodged with the diplomatic representatives of those states whose high-ranking officials were present at the parade.

First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia emphasized that, amid ongoing Russian aggression, mass killings of Ukrainians, attacks on civilian infrastructure, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, the presence of foreign officials at a parade in the aggressor state is regarded by Ukraine as an unfriendly act.

The Ministry also highlighted the significant contribution of the Ukrainian people—alongside other nations of the anti-Hitler coalition and the former USSR—to the victory over Nazism 80 years ago.

Read also China’s victory day: How Russia is paying highest price for Xi’s support

“The attendance of top officials from several countries at Kremlin-organized events has nothing to do with honoring the memory of the victims and heroes of World War II. In fact, it desecrates that memory and amounts to support for modern-day aggression in Europe—the Russian war of conquest against Ukraine,” the statement read.