Following the agreement on a three-day ceasefire on May 9, 10, and 11, brokered with the mediation of Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky displayed unexpected humor and sharp irony toward Moscow. On the evening of May 8, a decree was published on the official website of the Office of the President of Ukraine, which, in essence, “permits” a parade to be held in the Russian capital on May 9.

“Considering numerous requests, for humanitarian purposes outlined in negotiations with the American side on March 8, I decree to allow a parade to be held in the city of Moscow (RF) on May 9”, Zelensky wrote. The document even specifies the exact coordinates of Red Square, while the territory is formally “temporarily excluded from plans for the use of Ukrainian weapons”.

The move comes against a complex backdrop of shifting ceasefire dynamics. Initially, Russia announced a one- or two-day ceasefire on May 8–9 to allow the Moscow parade and urged Ukraine to comply, warning that failure to do so would result in powerful missile strikes on Kyiv. Ukraine at first rejected this limited truce, insisting on a genuine cessation of hostilities rather than a brief pause for Moscow’s parade. President Zelensky later proposed beginning the ceasefire on May 6, but Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities that day — claimed by analysts as a demonstration of Russia asserting initiative — resulted in dozens of civilian casualties.

Following these violations, Kyiv stated that it no longer considered itself bound by the ceasefire announced by Moscow. Amid rising tensions and the potential for Ukrainian drones to appear over the Moscow parade on May 9, a compromise was eventually reached with U.S. mediation: the ceasefire would start later than Ukraine initially proposed but would last longer than Russia had originally planned.

The United States and international partners are closely monitoring these developments, viewing Kyiv’s actions as an example of diplomatic creativity and psychological strategy aimed at strengthening its negotiating position.

 

Experts assess Zelensky’s decree as a strategic psychological move, combining measured diplomacy with a subtle yet unmistakable display of strength and self-irony. In the context of the three-day truce, such symbolic gestures carry particular weight, signaling Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate while simultaneously emphasizing its resolve on security and sovereignty issues.

Analysts note that the publication of the decree serves not only as a political signal to Moscow but also as a tool for reinforcing domestic support amid the ongoing conflict. According to specialists, such maneuvers create room for diplomatic flexibility, blending humor with a serious demonstration of control over strategic initiatives.

#UKRAINE

09.05.2026 06:50