- Moscow Warns of Retaliatory Strikes if Ukraine Disrupts May 9 Commemorations
MOSCOW – Russia’s proposal for a temporary ceasefire on Victory Day—supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump—has sparked an “unstable and hysterical reaction” from the Ukrainian government, according to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
“This initiative, which Trump backed during his April 29 phone call with President Vladimir Putin, provoked a nervous, hysterical response from the presidential administration in Kyiv,” Zakharova stated during a press briefing.
She further accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to downplay the truce initiative while hinting at possible drone strikes on Moscow’s Red Square parade. “Any reference to Moscow’s commemoration of the victory over fascism visibly disgusted him,” Zakharova added.
The spokesperson also pointed to what she described as a “Russophobic atmosphere” at the May 4 European Political Community summit in Yerevan, where Zelensky was present at Armenia’s invitation. According to Zakharova, the summit’s podium was used to voice what she called “terrorist Nazi threats.”
In a related development, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire from May 8 to May 9 in honor of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War. The ministry expressed hope that Ukraine would follow suit but issued a stark warning: if the Kyiv regime targets Moscow on May 9 to disrupt the commemorations, Russian forces will carry out a large-scale retaliatory strike on central Kyiv.
The ministry noted that Russia had previously refrained from such strikes for humanitarian reasons, despite having the operational capability. It reaffirmed that the Russian Armed Forces would take all necessary measures to ensure the security of Victory Day events.
BY: The Times Union – TASS
