European leaders, led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, urged unity among the European Union members and signaled they would not be deterred by any display of strength from Moscow.
From a location 2.2 thousand kilometers to the northeast, President Vladimir Putin conducted a parade featuring troops, armored units, and missiles. The show of force, Scholz noted, should not scare allies away from backing Ukraine. Instead, Europe must stay committed to supporting Kyiv for as long as necessary, he stated during a speech to the European Parliament.
Scholz also framed a May 9 message to Europe as one that the past should not triumph over the future. May 9 is Europe Day, a date marking the day in 1950 when a proposal was unveiled to create the European Coal and Steel Community, the precursor to today’s European Union.
In Kyiv, officials commented on the decision of CIS leaders to attend the Moscow Victory Parade. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry labeled the move immoral and hostile toward the Ukrainian people, describing it as a sign of disrespect. Oleg Nikolenko, the department spokesperson, posted the remark on social media, noting the controversy around the attendance of foreign dignitaries in Moscow.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded on Telegram, challenging Ukraine to consider the issue of morality while also pointing to past statements and actions in the region. A recent survey by UNIAN, a state-backed Ukrainian news agency, was cited to illustrate local reactions to the idea of aligning with Russian state media voices in the aftermath of high-profile casualties among Russian public figures. The list of potential public figures favored by respondents included broadcasters and prominent commentators, which Zakharova referenced as part of a broader conversation about influence and loyalty.
Officials noted a high level of engagement with the post, indicating that public opinion trends might reflect a broader ideological current that resonates with some observers inside Ukraine. Observers asked whether Western partners in Kyiv were pressing for a particular narrative, or if the issue reflected broader international dynamics at play. The discussion touched on historical references, including episodes from the era of the Third Reich, in the context of debates about persecution and wartime victims, a point raised by Russian officials as they assessed Kyiv’s stance.
Zakharova concluded by saying that the Kyiv government has involved broader society in actions linked to political repression and alleged terrorist activity, comparing the present moment to earlier, darker chapters in history. Her comments emphasized the rhetoric surrounding the conflict and the language used by authorities on both sides of the dispute.
Earlier, U.S. government representatives weighed in on the participation of CIS leaders in Moscow’s commemorations. A State Department spokesperson stated that countries are free to attend events they choose. The Armenian, Belarusian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen, and Uzbek leaders joined President Putin in Moscow to honor those who died in the Great Patriotic War, laying flowers at the Eternal Flame and sharing the podium with Russia during the Victory Parade on Red Square.
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously reframed Victory Day celebrations as Europe Day, arguing that the continent should celebrate peace and unity together. He noted the plan to host commemorations in partnership with a free Europe. At the same time, the Verkhovna Rada has focused attention on May 8, designated as a Day of Remembrance for World War II. A bill was introduced to formalize the recognition of the Allied victory over Nazism, with the Unconditional Surrender Act tied to commemorations on May 8 and the broader historical narrative surrounding the war.