MILAN – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic mentioned he plans to attend Russia’s Victory Day navy parade in Moscow subsequent month regardless of warnings from European Union officers that such a go to dangers hindering the nation’s ambitions to affix the bloc.
This yr’s festivities will contain the participation and planning, for the primary time, of Serbian navy items within the parade, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany, the Related Press reported.
Earlier this month, high EU diplomat Kaja Kallas referred to as on European governments to not attend, as doing so would successfully present assist for the Kremlin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kallas restated her place this week, telling reporters that “any participation within the Might ninth parades or celebrations in Moscow won’t be taken calmly on the European aspect, contemplating that Russia is waging a full-scale conflict in Europe.”
The Ukrainian authorities has invited European leaders to Kyiv on the identical day.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has beforehand mentioned he would be a part of Vucic in touring to Moscow.
In earlier years, a number of international locations have despatched delegations to the parade, together with leaders from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Laos, and Cuba.
The West’s assist for the protection of Ukraine has skilled a dramatic shift for the reason that inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has sided with Putin in explaining the reason for the conflict, and his authorities is popping off the spigot of navy help that despatched tens of billions of {dollars}’ price of kit to Kyiv.
Whereas remaining exterior NATO and pursuing a coverage of navy neutrality, Serbia has expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the European Union.
The federal government final yr was seen as transferring nearer to Europe, a minimum of in issues of navy gear, when officers dedicated to purchasing 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation
The contract for 9 single-seater Rafales and three two-seaters was reported to be price €2.7 billion (US$3 billion).
Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo is a Europe correspondent for Protection Information. She covers a variety of subjects associated to navy procurement and worldwide safety, and focuses on reporting on the aviation sector. She relies in Milan, Italy.
