Kaja Kallas: Vucic’s Moscow trip remains “issue of conscience” for EU

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s trip to Moscow for the May 9 parade has raised significant concern within the European Union, with EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas commenting on the issue during a press conference.

Kallas expressed criticism of Vucic’s decision to attend the Russian military parade, particularly given the EU’s previous recommendations urging Serbia to refrain from such visits, Caliber.Az reports via Serbian media.

Her comments, made alongside Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, were clear in highlighting the EU’s discomfort with Vucic’s choice to participate, despite Serbia’s longstanding ties to Russia.

When asked if the visit could affect Serbia’s EU membership progress, Kallas responded that the actions of EU member states would not go unnoticed by Brussels. “On the one hand, it is positive that the Serbian army is not participating in the parade. That would have been even more problematic. However, to go there together with Putin, especially given his involvement in the ongoing war—Europe's largest conflict since World War II—remains an issue that touches everyone's conscience,” she said.

Kallas further remarked that the EU would need to address several important questions as they consider their next steps in response to the visit. “There are many questions that need to be raised when we discuss the next steps,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Vucic had anticipated strong criticism from the European Union over his trip to Moscow. Speaking to Serbian journalists on May 7, he acknowledged the foreign ministers’ summit in Warsaw and expected sharp reactions from EU officials. Despite this, Vucic made it clear that he was prepared to respond firmly should the EU express objections.

“I am proud that I never misled anyone, never lied, and always spoke the truth,” Vucic asserted. “Even eight or nine months ago, when I discussed other key matters for our country with President Putin over the phone, I gave him my word.”

The Serbian president emphasised the importance of keeping commitments, even under pressure. “A man is bound by his word. If you give it, it is your duty to do everything to keep it,” he said, revealing that he had come close to breaking his promise, though not through any fault of his own.

By Tamilla Hasanova