Russia’s Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, issued a stern warning to Ukraine, stating that if Kyiv were to attack Moscow during the May 9th celebrations, “no one can guarantee that the Ukrainian capital will survive until May 10th,” according to Sinjali news.
Medvedev’s statement came in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s rejection of a three-day ceasefire proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. Putin declared a ceasefire from May 8 to May 10, during which he will host international leaders in Moscow, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, for official Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
Zelenskyy rejected the ceasefire, calling it insufficient, and requested a 30-day ceasefire instead, a proposal that Moscow swiftly rejected. Medvedev criticized Zelenskyy’s stance, calling his remarks a “verbal provocation”, adding, “No one has asked Kyiv for security guarantees for the May 9 celebrations. But if a real provocation occurs on Victory Day, no one can guarantee that Kyiv will survive until May 10.”
Zelenskyy had earlier stated that Ukraine cannot be responsible for what happens on Russian territory, emphasizing that Moscow holds responsibility for the security of international guests attending the event.
