Kallas urges leaders to boycott Moscow's May 9 celebrations

TALLINN - European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday warned European leaders against attending the military parade in Moscow on May 9 and urged them instead to show solidarity with Ukraine, Politico reported after the bloc's foreign ministers met in Luxembourg.

According to Russian media, Vladimir Putin's regime has sent invitations to the leaders of China, India, and Brazil, as well as to Slovakia, an EU member state, and to Serbia, which seeks to join the EU.

"What was also discussed and very clearly said by different member states is that any participation in the May 9 parades or celebrations in Moscow will be not taken lightly on the European side, considering that Russia is really waging a full-scale war in Europe," Kallas said.

She added that the EU does not want any candidate country to participate in these events on May 9 in Moscow.

Politico reported earlier on Monday that Ukraine is inviting European officials and leaders to Kyiv on May 9.

"I have called on all the member states, but also on representatives of the institutions to visit Kyiv and Ukraine as much as possible, to really show our solidarity and that we are with Ukraine," Kallas said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's office announced that he would not attend the parade in Moscow. Slovak leader Robert Fico confirmed in November 2024 that he would take part.