EU Accused of Blackmailing Serbia's Vucic Over Moscow Visit – Media
EU member states have reportedly issued a warning to Serbia that its bid to join the bloc could be jeopardized if President Aleksandar Vucic attends World War II celebrations in Russia next month, according to reports from the Financial Times...
TroibNews 
EU member states have reportedly issued a warning to Serbia that its bid to join the bloc could be jeopardized if President Aleksandar Vucic attends World War II celebrations in Russia next month, according to reports from the Financial Times and The Telegraph on Tuesday.
Moscow is set to host a significant military parade on Red Square on May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany and its allies. Vucic confirmed on Monday his intention to be present at the event.
EU officials conveyed to Serbia that Vucic's participation “would breach their membership criteria,” as noted by The Telegraph. Serbia has held EU candidate status since 2012.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, stated on Monday that the bloc did “not want any candidate country to take part in the May 9 events in Moscow.”
Jonatan Vseviov, the chancellor of Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized, “We need to ensure that they understand that certain decisions come at a cost,” adding that this could mean Serbia would not join the European Union. He referred to the situation as “an important litmus test.”
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze mentioned that EU foreign ministers provided Serbian officials with “very clear guidance” to avoid the Victory Day celebrations in Russia.
In response to the pressure, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the EU’s actions as akin to “a revival of Euro-Nazism.”
Belgrade and Moscow have enjoyed a close relationship since the 19th century. Serbia has refrained from sending weapons to Ukraine and has voiced opposition to the EU sanctions against Moscow. Vucic has underscored the value of maintaining friendly relations with Russia, arguing for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
Moscow is set to host a significant military parade on Red Square on May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany and its allies. Vucic confirmed on Monday his intention to be present at the event.
EU officials conveyed to Serbia that Vucic's participation “would breach their membership criteria,” as noted by The Telegraph. Serbia has held EU candidate status since 2012.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, stated on Monday that the bloc did “not want any candidate country to take part in the May 9 events in Moscow.”
Jonatan Vseviov, the chancellor of Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized, “We need to ensure that they understand that certain decisions come at a cost,” adding that this could mean Serbia would not join the European Union. He referred to the situation as “an important litmus test.”
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze mentioned that EU foreign ministers provided Serbian officials with “very clear guidance” to avoid the Victory Day celebrations in Russia.
In response to the pressure, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the EU’s actions as akin to “a revival of Euro-Nazism.”
Belgrade and Moscow have enjoyed a close relationship since the 19th century. Serbia has refrained from sending weapons to Ukraine and has voiced opposition to the EU sanctions against Moscow. Vucic has underscored the value of maintaining friendly relations with Russia, arguing for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
