Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s insistence on attending the military parade in Moscow on May 9 could impact the country’s path toward EU integration, according to the European Union. The EU stressed the need for Serbia to reaffirm its strategic orientation toward the 27-member bloc.
Vučić’s planned participation in Russia’s Victory Day military parade may carry consequences for Serbia’s European aspirations.
According to the European Commission, this warning was delivered to President Vučić by the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, during a meeting in Belgrade on Tuesday.
“She also reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the Serbian people in their EU membership aspirations, but noted that President Vučić’s participation in the military parade in Moscow would affect that commitment,” stated EU spokesperson Guillaume Mercier.
Vučić’s firm stance on attending the event, which in Russia commemorates Victory Day, underscores—according to the EU—the need for Serbia to demonstrate its strategic orientation through concrete actions.
“Participation in Moscow will have an impact on Serbia’s EU path, including discussions on reforms and the next steps. We’ve been quite clear, from this platform, about Serbia’s direction and position in this context. Serbia has applied for EU membership and is currently negotiating. We expect Serbia to be a reliable partner. Our principles, values, security, and prosperity must be respected, and we need Serbia to reaffirm its strategic direction. Our position has been clear from the start—relations with Russia cannot be business as usual,” Mercier stated.
While in Belgrade, Commissioner Kos also met with Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut and members of civil society. She additionally paid tribute at the train station in Novi Sad.
