Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has portrayed himself as a victim following his visit to Moscow, stating that he expects repercussions for attending the Russian military parade but hopes the European Union will punish him personally rather than the entire country.
“I’m convinced that Serbia will remain on its European path. If the EU wants to punish someone, let it be me. I will accept the punishment and ask that the whole country not be penalized,” Vučić said in an interview with RTS.
Vučić arrived in Moscow today via Bulgaria, Turkey, and Azerbaijan after Latvia and Lithuania denied his aircraft permission to fly over their airspace.
“We traveled through Bulgaria, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, and once we were granted a flight corridor, we continued on. I arrived in Moscow, where I was welcomed by Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko, one of the most prominent figures in Russian diplomacy,” Vučić explained.
He added that some members of his government had suggested reciprocal measures against Latvia and Lithuania, but he was against such actions.
Vučić also expressed pride in attending the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, emphasizing Serbia’s historic role in the fight against fascism.
“The Serbian people have nothing to be ashamed of—we should be proud of our struggle against fascism. If any nation has the right to take pride in that fight, it is the Serbian people,” he said.
Vučić stated that tomorrow he will meet with Russian Patriarch Kirill, to whom he will present an award, as well as with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. On Friday, following the parade, he is scheduled to meet first with Chinese President Xi Jinping and then with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vučić said he plans to discuss a new agreement on natural gas with Putin, as well as issues related to Serbia’s Oil Industry (NIS), which is under U.S. sanctions due to its Russian ownership, along with broader political cooperation at the international level.
