The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned European leaders on Monday against participating in Moscow’s military celebrations on May 9, inviting them to show solidarity with Ukraine instead.
According to Russian media, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government has extended invitations to the leaders of China, India and Brazil — as well as to EU country Slovakia and to Serbia, which aspires to join the 27-member bloc.
“What was also discussed very clearly, and said by different member states, is that any participation in the 9th May parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side, considering that Russia is really waging a full-scale war in Europe,” Kallas told journalists in Luxembourg after a gathering of foreign ministers.
Kallas added the EU does not want to see any potential member of the bloc joining Putin’s celebrations in Moscow.
The May 9 celebrations mark Russia’s 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, in which it played a key role. Putin has dubiously claimed that his war against Ukraine is an attempt to purge the country of Nazis.
POLITICO reported earlier Monday that Ukraine was inviting top EU officials and leaders to Kyiv on May 9 to counter Russia’s military celebrations — a call echoed by Kallas after her meeting with EU foreign ministers.
“I’ve also called all the member states but also representatives of the institutions to visit Kyiv as much as possible to show really our solidarity and that we are with Ukraine,” she said.
The office of Viktor Orbán has said the Hungarian prime minister will not attend the parade in Moscow. Slovak leader Robert Fico said in November 2024 that he would attend.
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