Serbian President's Plane Diverts to Baku Amid Airspace Bans

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's flight to Moscow for the Victory Day parade was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Baku after several European countries, including Latvia and Lithuania, closed their airspace due to heightened security concerns over the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict and recent Ukrainian drone strikes near Moscow. The closures were reportedly part of a coordinated effort by EU-aligned nations to discourage attendance at Russia's commemorations, particularly from states seeking EU membership like Serbia. The situation was further complicated by the closure of Moscow's airports and the risk posed by active air defense systems along the route. Vučić's ability to continue to Moscow and meet Russian President Vladimir Putin remained uncertain as his delegation awaited further clearance and security assessments. Despite these obstacles, Serbian media indicated that the delegation expected to reach Moscow in time for the event. The EU has urged potential member states to align with its policies and avoid participation in Russian celebrations amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.