Ivana Stradner wrote for Foundation for Defense of Democracies related to the Victory Day visit of Vučić and Fico to Moscow. In her article she emphasized that the leaders of Slovakia and Serbia—Robert Fico and Aleksandar Vučić—defied EU warnings by attending Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, alongside Vladimir Putin. This event symbolized more than just commemoration; it was a show of Russia’s ability to resist Western diplomatic isolation.
Despite official EU pressure, Vučić openly committed to Putin that he would attend and followed through, while Fico asserted his sovereignty by rejecting EU admonitions, famously stating, “no one can tell me where to go or not to go.” Kremlin officials hailed their visit as an “act of heroism” against the EU’s “unrestrained pressure.”
Brussels condemned their attendance, warning that Vučić’s actions place Serbia at odds with EU accession criteria. However, the EU’s response has been mostly rhetorical, lacking meaningful consequences.
A deeper analysis reveals that:
Vučić’s real agenda is not EU membership, but to keep the accession door ajar to exploit EU funds while avoiding reforms. His political strategy includes undermining pro-Western opposition and empowering far-right groups to secure his power domestically.
The recent tragedy in Novi Sad, where a railway station roof collapsed killing 16 people, has triggered massive protests against Vučić’s government.
Vučić depends on Putin for political survival, balancing close ties with Russia and China while leveraging economic incentives from the EU.
Putin’s hosting of Vučić and Fico publicly humiliates Brussels, exposing the EU’s limited leverage over these leaders.
Along side her analysis a concern of hers was that the EU must strengthen its stance decisively on ceasing EU funding to Vučić’s regime, as these resources enable authoritarianism and undermine EU values. Vučić’s bluff of escalating tensions should not deter Brussels; Serbia’s reliance on EU funds is a vulnerability to exploit. Impose stringent financial and political costs on Fico, comparable to those applied to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. This would send a clear message that the EU demands alignment with democratic norms and will not tolerate open defiance.
The current political tactics of Vučić and Fico are fragile. The EU’s willingness to follow through with credible sanctions and funding suspensions will be crucial to preserving its authority and upholding its foundational principles.
