Vucic faces EU backlash over planned attendance at Russia’s May 9 celebrations

The European Commission has issued a warning to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that his expected visit to Russia for the May 9 Victory Day celebrations could seriously complicate Serbia’s accession process to the European Union.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos conveyed this message during her recent visit to Belgrade, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, the warning was communicated directly to the Serbian president.

“We warned Serbia that a visit to Moscow could complicate the process of negotiations and preparations for joining the EU. We expect Serbia to confirm its strategic priorities,” Mercier told reporters during a briefing in Brussels on April 30.

He emphasised that the European Commission maintains a clear position that EU candidate countries "should not continue relations with Russia as if nothing has happened," referring to Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued a broader warning, stating that EU leaders and candidates who decide to attend the May 9 event in Russia would face consequences. She stressed that attending such commemorations under the current geopolitical circumstances would be incompatible with the EU’s collective stance toward Moscow.

The Russian government, however, has pushed back against these warnings. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned Brussels’ pressure on Belgrade, calling it "madness" that is “destructive to the European Union itself.”

“They are ready to become a laughingstock in the eyes of the world,” Zakharova said. She argued that such pressure only reinforces Russia’s position and unity with countries that “know the real role of the Soviet Union in the Second World War and the victory over Nazism and fascism.”

Russia remains confident that President Vucic will not change his decision to travel to Moscow on May 9, despite mounting pressure from the EU and its allies. Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, said:

“There is incredible pressure being exerted on Vucic from the European Union. These actions can only be described as political rudeness and a blatant disregard for the principle of national sovereignty.”

Botsan-Kharchenko added that Serbia is no stranger to such pressure: “They have been experiencing it in an extremely intense manner, particularly over the past three years of the special military operation, regarding the issue of sanctions. Serbia has already developed considerable immunity and the capacity to resist such pressure.”

The ambassador emphasised that Vucic had made a firm decision to attend the celebrations in Moscow, stating: “We proceed from the assumption that Aleksandar Vucic has made his decision [to come to Moscow for Victory Day] and, based on political considerations and his personal conviction, will not change it.”

Highlighting the historical and emotional importance of the occasion, Botsan-Kharchenko concluded: “I want to underscore his personal attitude, especially given that this marks the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. He is someone who respects this commemoration. For him, it is a sacred cause and a matter of honour.”

By Tamilla Hasanova