Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) listens to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a joint news conference in Sochi, Russia, 4 December 2019. Photo: Shamil Zhumatov/AP
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has confirmed that he will visit Moscow on 9 May to take part in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism, fulfilling his promise to Russian President Vladimir Putin, AFP reports.
“Eight months ago, I told Putin on the phone that I would come to Moscow on 9 May. And I will keep my word,” Vucic said during a visit to the United States.
This will be Vucic’s first trip to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The visit is a concern for the European Union, as Serbia, an EU candidate country, has not joined sanctions against Moscow and maintains close ties with the Kremlin.
Despite external pressure, Vucic persists:
“Serbia will not leave the European path. But my word has a price. I am ready to pay for it, even with sanctions.”
Leaders of about 20 countries are expected to join the parade on Red Square, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and pro-Russian Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.
Importantly, Belgrade is currently negotiating a new gas deal with Russia, with the previous contract expiring at the end of May. Serbia remains energy dependent on Moscow, and has sheltered hundreds of thousands of Russians since the start of the war.
