EU on Vučić's visit to Russia: Refrain from legitimizing Putin's aggression against Ukraine

The European Union expresses deep regret over the Serbian leadership's trip to Moscow and participation in the marking of Victory Day in World War II - an event that Russia, according to Brussels, is exploiting for propaganda purposes.

This is the European Commission's response following the visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to Russia, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Serbia is expected to demonstrate credible commitment to European values ​​and convince us of its strategic orientation towards the European Union," a European Commission spokesperson said in a written response to Radio Free Europe.

The EC underlines that all actors must refrain from any action that could legitimize Putin's aggression against Ukraine.

"If anyone wants to show support for peace, the right place to do so on May 9 is Kiev, not Moscow," the response reads.

The EU emphasizes that it has been "completely clear" with its partners, including candidate countries like Serbia.

"Relations with Russia cannot continue as usual with the Putin regime, at a time when its aggression against Ukraine is unprovoked and unjustified," the European Commission's response concludes.

Vučić arrived in Moscow on the eve of the anniversary of May 9, and his meeting with Putin is the first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He told reporters in Moscow that Serbia will continue on its European path and added that "if anyone has to pay the price for this visit, it will be me, not the state."

Vučić also said he expects “very harsh reactions” from the EU because of this visit, but that his response will be “measured and serious.” He warned that he will discuss with Putin, among other things, the gas supply agreement and the Serbian Oil Industry, which is Russian-owned and under US sanctions.

European institutions have previously reacted to warnings about Vučić's trip to Moscow. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, during a visit to Belgrade in late April, said that the decision to travel to Moscow was up to the Serbian president, but warned that if he did, "it would be much more difficult to help Serbia stay firmly on the European path."

Serbia has been in the process of negotiating EU membership since 2014, but has not opened any new chapters since December 2021, due to its refusal to harmonize its foreign policy with that of the EU and to impose sanctions on Russia.

Despite Brussels' warnings, authorities in Belgrade have continued to maintain close relations with Moscow./ REL