Updated: Serbia's Vucic to attend Moscow's May 9 victory parade despite EU pushback

Editor's note: The article was updated with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's confirmation that he intends to attend the Moscow victory parade.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed on April 16 that he intends to travel to Moscow for Russian President Vladimir Putin's May 9 Victory Parade despite the EU's pressure, the Associated Press reported.

The comments come after EU officials warned that Serbia could be blocked from joining the EU if its president takes part in the ceremonies, broadly seen as a propaganda event showcasing Russia's military might.

Serbia applied to join the European Union in 2009 and received candidate status in 2012. However, Vucic has also maintained friendly ties with Russia and Putin.

Vucic said that a Serbian military unit would participate in the event and, for the first time, Serbia would take part in organizing the parade.

European officials have issued a warning to Vucic, indicating that his visit would violate EU membership criteria and potentially block Serbia's accession process.

Several EU officials have commented on Vucic's upcoming trip to Moscow, including Jonatan Vseviov, the secretary general of Estonia's Foreign Ministry.

"We need to ensure that they understand that certain decisions come at a cost. The consequence is them not joining the European Union," Vseviov said.

Vseviov also added that attendance at Russia's Victory Day Parade is "an important litmus test. Basically, what we look at is whether or not they are on our side or playing on the other team."

Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, also commented that "any participation in the May 9 parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side, considering that Russia is really waging a full-scale war in Europe."

Russian state media reported that Putin has invited the leaders of China, Israel, and Brazil to attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, is also confirmed to attend the parade in Moscow, despite EU warnings.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has invited senior EU leaders and officials to Kyiv on May 9 to counter Russia's celebration.

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