Moscow has accused Kiev of trying to spread fear ahead of the WWII victory celebrations on Red Square File photo: Maria Zakharova, Director, Department of Information and the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation © SOPA Images / Getty Images Ukraine is exploiting peace negotiations in order to extract funds from its Western backers and promote extremism, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. She made the remarks after Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andrey Yermak reposted a stylized image of Vladimir Zelensky looking at the iconic Kremlin wall engulfed in flames. Yermak wrote under the image, which was captioned with a line from a famous Soviet World War II-era song: Zakharova told Russian broadcaster TVC on Sunday. She also accused Ukraine of in foreign aid. Read more Ukraine has rejected Russia’s proposal for a 72-hour truce next week, as Moscow prepares to hold a military parade on Red Square on May 9, marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Germany in the Second World War. Foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend the celebrations. Zelensky urged world leaders not to travel to Moscow, saying that Ukraine “cannot guarantee their safety.” He claimed that Russia could stage “arsons, explosions, and other steps” to blame Kiev. The Russian Foreign Ministry argued that Zelensky’s statements amounted to terrorist threats. Kiev has repeatedly struck apartment buildings in Moscow with drones, while Ukrainian agents have used explosives to carry out several assassinations in the capital.
