Vucic shares a video featuring Slovak Prime Minister Fico in a setting of the Kremlin's backdrop.
In an unusual turn of events, Serbian leader Aleksandar Vucic had a face-to-face with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, as they shook hands against the imposing backdrop of the Kremlin. Vucic, eager to share the momentous occasion, shared a video of the meeting on Instagram, under the caption, "Brotherly get-together with Fico tonight in Moscow."
Amidst the buzzing diplomatic scene, the meeting was somewhat contentious as the Baltic countries attempted to thwart their visit to the capital for the Victory Day Parade. Determined as ever, both leaders arrived in Moscow on respectively, May 7 and 8.
Prior to their arrival, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed dismay over Lithuania and Latvia's decision to deny permission for Vucic's special flight to Russia, branding it as another instance of egregious obstruction.
Despite the hullabaloo, it's essential to clarify that Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads—the platforms Vucic used to communicate—are not inherently banned in Russia as "extremist" entities, as the statement might suggest. While these platforms have faced restrictions and criticisms globally, they haven't been specifically designated as "extremist" and banned in Russia, unlike certain political or social ideologies that incite violence or harm.
However, it's important to note that Russia has been known to impose restrictions on Western social media platforms during times of political tension or when these platforms fail to comply with Russian regulations. Furthermore, concerns about misinformation, disinformation, data protection, and privacy have led to restrictions on these platforms globally. Threads, a relatively newer platform, has faced criticism for its data collection policies and disinformation concerns, but it's not currently banned in Russia for these reasons.
- Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico found himself at the heart of discussions regarding politics and policy-and-legislation, following his face-to-face meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Moscow.
- Despite the opposition from the Baltic countries, Fico and Vucic attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, showcasing their unity amidst war-and-conflicts and general news headlines.
- The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, had previously voiced her concerns over the denial of permission for Vucic's special flight to Russia, perceiving it as an act of unnecessary obstruction.
- In the midst of this controversy, it was clarified that Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Threads, the platforms used by Vucic for communication, are not considered "extremist" entities in Russia, but they have faced restrictions and criticisms globally.
- While concerns about misinformation, disinformation, data protection, and privacy have led to restrictions on these platforms globally, the representative spokeswoman emphasized that Threads is currently not banned in Russia for those reasons.
