Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday described the upcoming Victory Day parade in the Russian capital, Moscow, on May 9 as a 'parade of cynicism.'
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy expressed his disapproval by pointing out the historical ironies he sees in the event. He highlighted that the parade would be presided over by those responsible for recent violent actions in Ukraine, such as the mass graves in Bucha and the blockade of Mariupol. He further elaborated, "It will be a parade of cynicism... a parade of bile and lies."
Zelenskyy criticized the narrative presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that the portrayal of victory over Nazism is misleading. He argued, "As if it were not dozens of allied states, but Putin personally who defeated Nazism." He delivered these remarks in a video address on Ukraine's Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, emphasizing the importance of fighting evil with force.
The Ukrainian president's comments came shortly after a three-day unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine was announced by Putin, which took effect at midnight and is set to last until May 11. The ceasefire precedes the annual military parade in Moscow's Red Square on May 9, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, an event attended by foreign leaders to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, referred to in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.