Serbia’s Vucic Reaffirms EU Ambitions Despite Moscow Visit

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed Serbia’s desire to join the European Union just days after attending a military parade in Moscow, a move widely criticized by Western leaders as tacit support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, The Gaze reports, citing Reuters.

Vucic traveled to Russia on May 8–9 to take part in commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War Two, appearing publicly alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

His presence at the parade, held as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is a symbolic endorsement of Moscow’s actions.

“The atmosphere (in the EU) … is not exactly great, I’m convinced because of the trip to Moscow, but … I believe that Europe will have understanding for merit-based progress,” Vucic said after meeting with European Council President António Costa in Belgrade on Tuesday.

Vucic’s government has long maintained close energy and political ties with Russia, which supports Serbia’s refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence. However, EU officials have consistently warned that deeper cooperation with Moscow is incompatible with Serbia’s EU aspirations—especially during an ongoing war condemned by the international community.

“A key element of our common foreign and security policy is the clear condemnation of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace,” Costa said.

European leaders have repeatedly discouraged leaders from EU candidate countries from attending Russian state events, particularly those used by Moscow to promote its wartime narratives. 

Vucic’s choice to attend the parade places Serbia further out of step with EU foreign policy, which includes sanctions against Russia and military support for Ukraine.

Despite Vucic’s reassurances, his participation in a high-profile Kremlin ceremony during wartime underscores the growing tensions between Belgrade’s actions and its stated EU ambitions.

As The Gaze previously reported, the European Commission has warned that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s potential participation in Russia’s Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9 would seriously damage Serbia’s European Union membership aspirations.