Video from Moscow Features Heartfelt Exchange Between Serbia’s Vucic and Slovakia’s Fico
Several EU countries restricted airspace for leaders traveling to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic released a video of himself shaking hands with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico near the Kremlin....
TroibNews 
Several EU countries restricted airspace for leaders traveling to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic released a video of himself shaking hands with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico near the Kremlin. Both officials encountered significant obstacles in their journeys due to airspace restrictions imposed by various EU nations.
“Brotherly meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico tonight in Moscow. Serbs and Slovaks brothers forever!” Vucic posted on Instagram on Thursday, sharing a clip of their greeting.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had cautioned leaders from member states and candidate nations against visiting Russia for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, advocating instead for a trip to Kiev.
Reports indicate that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos informed Vucic in late April that attending the event in Moscow could affect Serbia's EU accession prospects.
Latvia and Lithuania prohibited access to Vucic’s flight, necessitating a detour through Bulgaria, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Estonia also denied assistance to Fico’s aircraft, even though Slovakia has a year-round permit for government flights through Estonian airspace.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed that EU representatives should refrain from partaking in “propaganda events organized by Russia.”
Despite these challenges, both Vucic and Fico proceeded with their plans to attend the Victory Day event in Moscow, joining over two dozen world leaders at this year’s observances in the Russian capital. Other participants include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic released a video of himself shaking hands with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico near the Kremlin. Both officials encountered significant obstacles in their journeys due to airspace restrictions imposed by various EU nations.
“Brotherly meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico tonight in Moscow. Serbs and Slovaks brothers forever!” Vucic posted on Instagram on Thursday, sharing a clip of their greeting.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had cautioned leaders from member states and candidate nations against visiting Russia for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, advocating instead for a trip to Kiev.
Reports indicate that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos informed Vucic in late April that attending the event in Moscow could affect Serbia's EU accession prospects.
Latvia and Lithuania prohibited access to Vucic’s flight, necessitating a detour through Bulgaria, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Estonia also denied assistance to Fico’s aircraft, even though Slovakia has a year-round permit for government flights through Estonian airspace.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed that EU representatives should refrain from partaking in “propaganda events organized by Russia.”
Despite these challenges, both Vucic and Fico proceeded with their plans to attend the Victory Day event in Moscow, joining over two dozen world leaders at this year’s observances in the Russian capital. Other participants include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
