Vucic and Fico in the presence of the Kremlin's backdrop
Bro-ing It Out in the Kremlin: The pair, Vucic and Fico, had quite the journey to Moscow. The Slovak prime minister, only just arrived, had to take a long haul via Hungary,Romania, and Georgia due to a shameful snub from the Baltic countries, who wouldn't let them cross their airspace.
On the other hand, Vucic had to make a detour around Latvia and Lithuania before finally touching down in Baku. The Serbian leader couldn't help but compare his travel time to that of Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin - taking longer than the famed trio.
Both politicians have been under the ruthless gaze of the European Commission due to their audacious decision to grace Russia's Victory Day. Health issues and logistical challenges were just a couple of the challenges they faced, considering their intention to be present at Russia's parade commemorating 80 years since the end of World War II.
This decisive move was seen as a sovereign statement and a nod towards Russia, in contrast to the EU's hostile stance towards Russia. Not only that, but their attendance marked a defiant show of support from non-EU aligned leaders to Russia during times of escalating tensions.
Despite the EU's pressure, with figures like Kaja Kallas urging European leaders not to attend the parade, promising consequences for Serbia's EU membership bid and diplomatic pressure on Slovakia - an EU member state, Vucic and Fico stood their ground.
[1] https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/31/serbian-president-alexandar-vucic-hospitalized-with-high-blood-pressure[2] https://politico.eu/article/eu-urges-eastern-partners-not-to-attend-russia-parade/[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-04/europe-s-baltic-states-put-hurdles-in-path-of-victory-day-visits[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovak-premier-ficos-health-problems-hurt-bids-but-no-sign-quitting-yet-2025-05-04/
- Despite facing health issues and logistical challenges, Serbian President Alexandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who had been under scrutiny by the European Commission, attended Russia's Victory Day parade, marking a defiant show of support for Russia during escalating tensions.
- The decision by Vucic and Fico to attend the Russia parade was seen as a sovereign statement and a nod towards Russia, contrasting the EU's hostile stance towards Russia.
- Their attendance at the parade, commemorating 80 years since the end of World War II, was met with pressure from the EU, with figures like Kaja Kallas urging European leaders not to attend, promising consequences for Serbia's EU membership bid and diplomatic pressure on Slovakia, an EU member state.
- In the face of EU pressure, Vucic and Fico stood their ground, garnering general news attention for their journeys to Moscow, which took longer than that of Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, causing the pair to compare their travel times.
