Ukraine plans on overshadowing Russia’s Victory Day

(MENAFN) Ukraine is organizing an event on May 9 to challenge Russia's Victory Day celebrations, inviting senior European politicians to attend, as reported by Politico. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga proposed the gathering to highlight Ukraine's unity and resilience against what he described as the "biggest aggression in Europe since World War II."

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski supported the event, believing it would demonstrate Europe's solidarity with Ukraine, contrasting with the Russian celebration in Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also planning a separate summit in May, potentially involving countries interested in deploying troops to Ukraine as part of a peace effort.

The event may include several European heads of state, such as the incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to sources.

Russia has strongly opposed any foreign troop deployments in Ukraine, warning that they would be seen as legitimate military targets and could escalate the conflict.

Russia will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany on May 9 with its traditional Victory Day parade in Red Square, which will be attended by more than 20 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

While Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9, Ukraine, which has distanced itself from its Soviet past, marks its official WWII remembrance on May 8 and designates May 9 as Europe Day. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Ukraine’s stance, accusing President Zelensky of disrespecting the memory of his own grandfather and reinforcing Russia’s position.

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