EU Warns Serbia's Vucic: Moscow Visit Threatens Membership

Serbia faces mounting pressure from the European Union over President Aleksandar Vucic's plan to attend Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow, a move EU officials warn could jeopardize Serbia's bid for membership. EU foreign ministers and top diplomats have made clear that participation in the May 9 celebrations would breach the values and criteria expected of candidate countries, particularly in light of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Several EU member states have directly stated that attending the event would carry serious consequences, including the potential derailment of Serbia's accession process. In response, Russia has condemned the EU's warnings, framing them as undue political pressure and likening them to historical instances of forced identity renunciation. Serbia, which has longstanding ties with both the EU and Russia, has seen its accession talks stall in recent years due to its refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow. The situation highlights Serbia's delicate balancing act between maintaining relations with both blocs while pursuing EU integration.