Ukraine urges world leaders to boycott Russia's Victory Day Parade: "They are not the liberators of Europe"

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday urging heads of state and world leaders to refrain from attending the Victory Day Parade, organized by Russia next May 9 to commemorate the surrender of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.

However, the Russian Federation has confirmed the attendance of up to 29 international leaders at the event.

For its part, Ukraine stresses that the current "brutal and unprovoked" war unleashed by Russia against its people, launched in 2022, delegitimizes participation in a celebration that Russia uses to project itself as "liberator" of Europe.

The text highlights Ukraine's historical role as one of the "victory nations over Nazism" during World War II, recalling that the country "paid a terrible price for peace and freedom in Europe."

The Ukrainian Ministry details the grave consequences of the current conflict, accusing Russian troops of committing "hundreds of thousands" of war crimes, including the killing of 620 people, wounding nearly 2,000 and the forced displacement of approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children.

These actions represent "atrocities" not seen in Europe since World War II, leading Ukraine to categorically reject the Russian narrative of being "liberators." "They are not the liberators of Europe, they are occupants and war criminals. To march side by side with them is to share responsibility for the blood of murdered Ukrainian children, civilians and military, not to honor the victory over Nazism," the document states.

Ukraine also criticizes Russia's invitation to foreign personnel, arguing that it seeks to "whitewash its war crimes and justify its aggression." The statement therefore makes a special appeal to countries declaring themselves neutral in the conflict, warning that their attendance at the parade would break that neutrality and would be interpreted as an implicit endorsement of Russian actions.

Who will attend the parade?

Among the world leaders expected to be present on the guest rostrum are China's President Xi Jinping, Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.

Context of the conflict and international reactions

Ukraine's call comes at a time of high tension, although the Kremlin announced that a ceasefire will take effect at midnight on May 7, with a duration of three days. However, Russia warned that it will respond "immediately" to any Ukrainian attack during this period, the Europa Press agency reported.

The confirmed attendance of 29 world leaders at the parade, despite Ukraine's pleas, is evidence of the international polarization surrounding the conflict. As Ukraine seeks to diplomatically isolate Russia, the May 9 event remains a key stage for Moscow to project global influence and reinforce its historical narrative.