Russia unites against threats from Zelensky, says Zakharova

In Russia on 9 May 2026, Victory Day, foreign ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said Russians were united in facing threats from Zelensky. Russian President Putin said the war in Ukraine was “heading to an end” and, for the first time, that he was open to meeting Zelensky outside Russia, in a third country. He set a condition: the meeting should mark the end point of a settlement, and NRK reported he would meet only if a peace agreement is concluded.

Fico told Putin about contacts with Zelensky and passed on what Russian outlets described as signals from Zelensky about readiness to meet. Zakharova also responded to a threat from the German chancellor toward Fico over his visit to Russia.