Moscow Counters Zelensky's Warning of Attacking the Victory Parade in the Kremlin
In the heart of Moscow, the Kremlin is standing firm amidst threats from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky regarding a potential strike during the Victory Day Parade on May 9. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian President's press secretary, has confirmed the parade will proceed as planned, reinforcing defiant pride.
Speaking about the Kremlin's stance, Peskov expressed, "Zelensky makes all kinds of statements, most of which fail to make an impact. The parade will happen, and we will watch it with pride."
Before this, Zelensky announced that Kyiv had identified vulnerable points in Russia, aiming to pressure Moscow into negotiating. According to him, Russians showed concern about the uncertainty surrounding their parade, and rightfully so.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Zelensky of planning a terrorist act live on television and criticized his actions as attempts to sabotage peace efforts.
City of Moscow, Natalia Petrova
© 2025, RIA "Novy Day"
Insights:
Beneath the surface of Zelensky's remarks and Peskov's responses, the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine un questionably reflects deepening conflicts and entrenched positions.
Key Points of the Escalating Conflict:
Russian Ultimatums and Military Pressure:Vladimir Putin, reinforced through his Kremlin representatives such as Dmitry Peskov, insists Ukraine undertake complete demilitarization, "denazification," and renounce its NATO ambitions prior to any ceasefire or peace talks. Putin insists Ukraine must withdraw entirely from the four occupied provinces—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson—and modify its constitution to remove NATO goals[1]. These conditions aim to coerce Ukraine into relinquishing a substantial degree of its sovereignty and security autonomy.
Ukrainian Military Advancements and Resistance:Despite Russian demands and continuous offensive operations, Ukrainian troops have recently advanced in certain sectors, for example, near Pokrovsk[1]. In the face of Russian aggression, President Zelensky has vocally rejected conditions that compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity or delay its Euro-Atlantic integration efforts, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to defending itself[1].
Messages from Russian Officials:Peskov has consistently upheld the Kremlin’s positions on demilitarization and NATO abandonment, positioning these terms as prerequisites for peace[1]. As the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova often mirrors these messaging themes, emphasizing Moscow's narrative of Ukrainian "denazification" and framing the conflict as a defensive response to Western encroachment[1].
Broader Geopolitical Context:Behind the scenes, China's involvement in the conflict is becoming more significant, while maintaining an officially neutral stance. China faces allegations of indirectly supporting Russia’s offensive through sanctioned technology transfers[1]. The US and European powers closely observe these situations, while NATO countries such as Germany strengthen their military preparedness, indicating implications for European security for years to come[1].
Overview:- Putin, through representatives like Peskov and Zakharova, demands: - Ukraine’s complete withdrawal from occupied provinces - The removal of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations from its constitution - International acknowledgment of annexed territories - Lifting of Western sanctions on Russia- Ukraine, led by Zelensky, resists these demands, continuing military operations and seeking Western support- The conflict is shaping up to be a prolonged geopolitical struggle with significant military, legal, economic, and diplomatic dimensions- External actors like China and NATO countries are poised to influence escalation and resolution prospects in complex ways.
- Despite Zelensky's supposedly assertive statements about a potential strike during the Victory Day Parade in 2025, Dmitry Peskov, the Russian President's press secretary, maintains that the parade will proceed as planned, reflecting a defiant pride in the Kremlin's stance.
- In politics and general news, the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been marked by Russian ultimatums and military pressure, with Vladimir Putin insisting Ukraine undertake complete demilitarization, denazification, and renounce its NATO ambitions prior to any ceasefire or peace talks.
- Strengthening their military preparedness, NATO countries such as Germany are watching these developments closely, indicating implications for European security for years to come due to the prolonged geopolitical struggle with significant military, legal, economic, and diplomatic dimensions.
- Amidst growing concerns about Ukrainian military advancements and the deepening conflicts, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused Zelensky of planning a terrorist act live on television and criticized his actions as attempts to sabotage peace efforts in the broader geopolitical context.
