Kremlin Declares Vucic and Fico Heroes
The Kremlin has commended Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for resisting EU pressure and attending the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on Friday. In addition to participating in the commemoration of...
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The Kremlin has commended Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for resisting EU pressure and attending the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on Friday.
In addition to participating in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II, Vucic and Fico held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their attendance came despite warnings from Brussels and travel challenges, as several EU countries closed their airspace to their flights en route to Russia. Moscow condemned these actions as “hostile.”
“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,” stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Previously, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had cautioned leaders from member and candidate countries against traveling to Moscow for the commemorations, recommending that they visit Kiev instead. Reports indicate that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also warned Vucic in April that his presence in Moscow could negatively impact Serbia’s EU aspirations.
Vucic faced significant travel obstacles, as Latvia and Lithuania restricted airspace to his plane, necessitating a detour through Bulgaria, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to reach Moscow on Wednesday. This trip occurred despite a recent health issue that caused him to shorten a visit to the U.S. and cancel a meeting with President Donald Trump in Florida.
Fico's plane was also affected by airspace closures, with Estonia blocking his flight on Wednesday. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that “Russia is a country that launched and continues a war in Europe” and suggested that “participation in propaganda events organized by them should be ruled out” for EU representatives.
Putin previously commended those who accepted the invitation, acknowledging the courage it took to attend amidst pressure from Brussels.
The celebrations in Moscow included attendees from 30 countries, featuring heads of state and high-ranking officials such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
In addition to participating in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II, Vucic and Fico held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their attendance came despite warnings from Brussels and travel challenges, as several EU countries closed their airspace to their flights en route to Russia. Moscow condemned these actions as “hostile.”
“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,” stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Previously, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had cautioned leaders from member and candidate countries against traveling to Moscow for the commemorations, recommending that they visit Kiev instead. Reports indicate that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also warned Vucic in April that his presence in Moscow could negatively impact Serbia’s EU aspirations.
Vucic faced significant travel obstacles, as Latvia and Lithuania restricted airspace to his plane, necessitating a detour through Bulgaria, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to reach Moscow on Wednesday. This trip occurred despite a recent health issue that caused him to shorten a visit to the U.S. and cancel a meeting with President Donald Trump in Florida.
Fico's plane was also affected by airspace closures, with Estonia blocking his flight on Wednesday. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that “Russia is a country that launched and continues a war in Europe” and suggested that “participation in propaganda events organized by them should be ruled out” for EU representatives.
Putin previously commended those who accepted the invitation, acknowledging the courage it took to attend amidst pressure from Brussels.
The celebrations in Moscow included attendees from 30 countries, featuring heads of state and high-ranking officials such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
