Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that while Serbia will not abandon its European path, he still plans to visit Moscow on May 9.
Vučić emphasized that he gave his word to Russian President Vladimir Putin and intends to honor that commitment.
“I’m ready to accept any form of sanctions. I told Putin I would go to Russia on May 9. I am bound by the promise I made. No one else should go and suffer; I will go, unless something unexpected happens or Serbia faces a serious threat,” Vučić said.
He added, “Serbia will remain on the European path even after this visit. We can’t change that because it was a promise made before the elections.”
European Union Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, warned on Wednesday that Serbia could struggle to stay on course for EU membership if Vučić proceeds with his planned trip to Moscow next week.
However, she noted that it is ultimately Vučić’s decision whether or not to attend.
Vučić confirmed he would attend the Victory Day military parade on May 9 and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow—his first visit since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Kos reiterated that Serbia, as an EU candidate country, is expected to fully align its foreign and security policies with those of Brussels by the time of its accession.
