Kiev Threatens to Blacklist World Leaders Heading to Moscow for Victory Day

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released a colorful statement Tuesday, stating that it would not be sending a representative to Moscow to celebrate the 70th anniversary of victory in the Second World War; moreover, the Ministry warned that its bilateral relations with countries who do send a representative will be negatively affected.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Evgeni Perebiynis told reporters on Tuesday that Ukraine will not be sending any representatives to Moscow in May to celebrate victory, noting that "under conditions of Russian aggression against Ukraine, there can be no participation of Ukrainian representatives in events in Moscow."

The Ministry spokesman noted that "in view of Russian aggression against Ukraine," the participation of representatives of other countries "will be considered by Ukraine as a demonstration of solidarity with the aggressor." Ultimately, Perebiynis notes, this solidarity with the aggressor may affect our bilateral relations with the relevant countries."

Absurdly, Perebiynis noted that Russia is a "country that, despite its anti-Nazi rhetoric, encourages the Nazi movement at home and is a center of pilgrimage for Neo-Nazis from all over the world. We believe that the celebration of Victory Day in such a country can hardly be called anything other than blasphemy."

Over the weekend, Kremlin Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov noted that the leaders of at least 25 states from across the world will attend Moscow's celebrations May 9th. The leaders of China, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Cuba and North Korea have confirmed their attendance. Meanwhile, the leaders of Germany, Britain, Poland, the Baltic States and the United States have confirmed that they won't be attending.

Last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry revealed that it had sent personal invitations for Ukrainian veterans to attend the parade as guests. As per tradition, Ukraine is set to have its own Victory Day celebrations May 9, and has created a new Remembrance and Reconciliation holiday for May 8.