Zelenskyy says Ukraine can't ensure leaders' safety in Moscow on May 9; Medvedev warns Ukraine may not see May 10

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, issued a stark warning to Ukraine on Saturday, saying that nobody could guarantee that the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv would survive to see May 10 if Ukraine were to launch an attack on Moscow during Russia’s Victory Day commemorations on May 9.

His remarks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments holding Moscow accountable for the safety of foreign dignitaries expected to attend the commemorative events in Russia next week.

“Our stance is clear with regard to all nations whose representatives are visiting Russia on May 9 — we cannot guarantee what happens within the territory of the Russian Federation. Russia bears full responsibility for ensuring their safety,” Zelenskyy said.

In an effort to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War Two, Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week announced a temporary truce in the ongoing war with Ukraine. The Kremlin stated that the ceasefire would span three days — from May 8 to May 10 — to allow for commemorations to proceed.

Putin is set to host several international leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the Victory Day ceremonies on May 9, which mark the defeat of Nazi Germany and remain a central element of Russia’s national identity and military legacy.

Responding to Moscow’s offer of the three-day ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was ready as long as the ceasefire would be 30 days in length, something Putin had already ruled out in the near term, saying he wants a long-term settlement not a brief pause.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine, given the continued war with Russia, could not guarantee the safety of any foreign dignitaries who came to Moscow for the traditional May 9 victory parade.

”We cannot be responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for your security, and therefore we will not give you any guarantees,” he said.

Medvedev, a former Russian president who has emerged as one of Moscow’s most outspoken anti-Western hawks since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, called Zelenskiy’s statement a ”verbal provocation” and said nobody had asked for Kyiv’s security guarantees for the May 9 events.

”(Zelenskyy) understands that in the event of a real provocation on Victory Day, nobody will be able to guarantee that Kyiv will live to see May 10,” Medvedev said on his official Telegram channel.

With inputs from agencies