The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov stated that the Serbian and Slovak leaders’ visit to Moscow occurred despite “frenzied” pressure from the EU.
The Kremlin has lauded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for their decision to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on Friday, despite warnings from the EU.
Vucic and Fico, ignoring Brussels’ concerns, not only participated in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II but also engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their journeys were complicated by several EU nations denying airspace access to their planes. Moscow denounced these actions as “hostile.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “These days… it is simply an act of heroism. Showing one’s sovereign will to pay tribute to the memory of Victory Day, despite the blatant, frenzied pressure, is worthy of the highest praise.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had previously advised leaders from EU member and candidate countries against attending the Moscow commemorations, suggesting a visit to Kiev instead.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also reportedly cautioned Vucic in April that his presence in Moscow could negatively impact Serbia’s EU aspirations.
Latvia and Lithuania’s refusal to allow the Serbian president’s plane to use their airspace forced it to reroute through Bulgaria, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to reach Moscow on Wednesday. Vucic’s visit occurred despite a recent health issue that caused him to shorten a US trip and cancel a meeting with then-President Donald Trump in Florida.
Estonia also closed its airspace to Fico’s plane on Wednesday. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna justified the decision by stating that “Russia is a country that launched and continues a war in Europe” and that “participation in propaganda events organized by them should be ruled out” for EU representatives.
Putin had earlier commended those who accepted the invitation, acknowledging their courage in attending despite pressure from Brussels.
The Moscow celebrations saw attendance from heads of state and senior officials from 30 countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
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