"Zelensky's invitation for May 10th in Kiev has met with a defiant response from Medvedev and Zakharov, who assert: 'Kiev may not witness our presence on May 10th'"
In an escalation of tensions, high-ranking Russian officials, Dmitry Medvedev and Maria Zakharova, issued threats towards Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, due to his reluctance to agree to Russia's proposed three-day ceasefire over Victory Day (May 9).
According to reports, Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, wasn't pleased with Zelensky's inability to promise the safety of guests in Moscow on May 9, considering it foreign territory. In response, he made a striking comment, "And who is looking for his guarantees? Just verbal provocation. Nothing more. He understands that in case of a real provocation on Victory Day, no one can guarantee that there will be a May 10 in Kyiv."
Simultaneously, Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, accused Zelensky of betraying his own veteran grandfather and directly threatening the physical safety of veterans attending celebrations on this sacred day. She pointed out, "The phrase that he 'does not guarantee safety on May 9 on the territory of Russia,' as it is not his area of responsibility, is, of course, a direct threat."
It's worth noting that Zelensky did not support Putin's idea of a three-day ceasefire on those days. The threats from Medvedev and Zakharova come following Ukraine’s rejection of Russia’s ceasefire proposal, which many viewed as a rejection of Moscow’s terms. Russian officials interpreted Zelensky’s stance as a direct threat to Victory Day proceedings.
This exchange highlights the fragile state of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, demonstrating deep-rooted mutual distrust and continued conflict. These warnings serve as a reminder of the volatile situation and the consequences of any potential provocations, with both sides using public threats to shape diplomatic narratives amid stalled peace efforts.
Enrichment Data:1. The rejection of the ceasefire proposal: Zelensky dismissed Putin’s May 8–11 truce as a “theatrical show” and instead proposed a 30-day ceasefire backed by the U.S., which Moscow interpreted as a rejection of its terms[1]. Zelensky explicitly stated Ukraine “cannot be responsible” for security during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, implying potential risks to attendees[1][3].2. Perceived provocation: Russian officials framed Zelensky’s refusal as a direct threat to Victory Day proceedings, with Zakharova condemning his remarks as a “direct threat” to Russia’s commemorations[1][3]. Medvedev escalated tensions by warning that “May 10 will not come for Kyiv” if Ukraine engages in provocations during the truce, implying severe retaliation[2][3].3. Broader context of failed diplomacy: The threats follow the collapse of prior ceasefire efforts, including an Easter truce that Ukraine accused Russia of violating extensively[1]. Russia’s aggressive rhetoric reflects its insistence on framing Ukraine’s stance as uncooperative, while Ukraine views the ceasefire as a manipulative tactic to regroup militarily[1][3].
- Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin’s proposed three-day ceasefire over Victory Day as a “theatrical show” and instead proposed a 30-day ceasefire backed by the U.S., which Moscow interpreted as a rejection of its terms.
- Dmitry Medvedev, in response to Zelensky’s refusal, warned that “May 10 will not come for Kyiv” if Ukraine engages in provocations during the truce, implying severe retaliation.
- Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, accused Zelensky of making a direct threat by not guaranteeing the safety of guests in Moscow on May 9, a statement that Russia viewed as a rejection of Moscow’s terms.
- This exchange underscores the deep-rooted mutual distrust and continued conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides using public threats to shape diplomatic narratives amid stalled peace efforts.
- As the war-and-conflicts section of the general news unfolds, politics and policy-and-legislation discussions revolve heavily around the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides disagreeing on the implementation of peace agreements and ceasefire proposals.
