On May 8, 2026, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by Decree No. 374/2026, authorized the holding of a parade in Moscow on the occasion of May 9. In addition, the document clearly specifies the time frame and territorial boundaries of the parade. According to the PromPolitInform portal, Novyny.LIVE published the full text of the presidential decree.
Presidential Decree Authorizing the Parade on Red Square
Considering numerous requests, for humanitarian purposes outlined during negotiations with the American side on May 8, 2026, I hereby decree:
- To authorize the holding of a parade in the city of Moscow (Russian Federation) on May 9, 2026.
For the duration of the parade (starting from 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time on May 9, 2026), the territorial square of Red Square shall be excluded from the plan for the use of Ukrainian weapons.
Red Square coordinates:
55.754413 37.617733
55.755205 37.619181
55.753351 37.622854
55.752504 37.621538
- This Decree shall enter into force on the day of its signing.
Moscow Parade — Who Will Attend in Russia
It should be noted that the May 9 parade in Russia holds special symbolic, ideological, and image-building significance, through which dictator Vladimir Putin consolidates Russians around the idea of a “great Russia.”
This year, representatives of several countries supporting military aggression against Ukraine are expected to attend the parade in Russia, including: self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, President of the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia Alan Gagloyev, the President of Laos, and the King of Malaysia. Milorad Dodik, representing the unrecognized Republika Srpska, is also expected to attend.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will lay flowers but will not attend the parade itself. Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan also announced their attendance.
Interestingly, ahead of the parade, Russian media reported that this year’s military parade on Red Square would take place without the traditional display of military equipment.
As previously reported, U.S. President Donald Trump personally requested a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia for May 9, 10, and 11. In response, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his diplomatic involvement and confirmed a three-day ceasefire as well as a major prisoner exchange.
Notably, it was the Kremlin that first announced the ceasefire for those days, while threatening Ukraine with massive strikes on Kyiv in case of violations. Zelenskyy also declared a silence regime for May 5–6, stating that if the ceasefire were violated during those days, Ukraine would respond symmetrically. However, Russia did not comply with Zelenskyy’s conditions and continued strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Photo: Office of the President
