Zelenskyy again at center of scandal over Mindich tapes

In Ukraine and Russia on 7 May 2026, exchanges between Kyiv and Moscow centered on 8-9 May. Zelensky warned foreign guests against attending Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow and promised a mirror response to Russian actions on 8 and 9 May. He also warned of a response as Russia escalated attacks before 9 May, and he tasked officials with stepping up the diplomatic process.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said its truce initiative for 8-9 May drew a 'hysterical response' in Kyiv and accused Zelensky of lying about a ceasefire. Pashinyan said Armenia broke with Russia on Ukraine after Zelensky's visit to Yerevan. BZ, as cited by TASS, said Zelensky was again at the center of a scandal over the 'Mindich tapes'.