Serbia's European Union accession process could face a serious setback if Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić participates in the May 9 military parade to be held in Moscow, organized by the Kremlin.
This parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, has become in recent years a symbol of Russian military power and support for Vladimir Putin's policies, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Senior EU officials have warned that the participation of a leader from a candidate country in the event would be contrary to the principles and values that the European Union stands for. According to them, such a visit would send a negative signal about Serbia's commitment to common European foreign policy, including sanctions against Russia.
"Some decisions have a cost," said Jonatan Vseviov, secretary general of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, commenting on the possibility of Vučić's participation in the parade.
"The consequence is that Serbia will not join the European Union," he added, stressing that such a move would seriously undermine the country's progress towards integration into the union.
This development comes at a time when Serbia is at a political crossroads between maintaining traditional relations with Russia and efforts to move closer to the EU.
A clear and firm stance is being demanded from Brussels against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, has called on European leaders to show unity with Ukraine by refusing any invitation to participate in ceremonies organized by the Kremlin. (A2 Televizion)
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