On 30 April 2025, European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier said that a possible visit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Moscow for the Victory Parade on 9 May could seriously complicate the country's accession talks to the European Union. Mercier recalled that Serbia, as an EU candidate since 2012, is obliged to align its foreign policy with Brussels' position. The European Commission's warning was part of growing pressure on Belgrade, which is trying to balance traditional ties with Russia and its ambitions for European integration, which has sparked heated debate in Serbia and beyond.

According to the Associated Press, Vucic confirmed his intention to visit Moscow despite EU warnings, stressing that he would not change his mind even if the “sky fell” on him. He also announced the participation of a Serbian military unit in the parade on Red Square, which would be the first time such an event has been “co-organized” with Russia. The visit, planned together with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, is perceived in Brussels as a demonstration of support for the Kremlin’s policies, especially in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas had previously called on candidate countries to refrain from participating in the Moscow celebrations, suggesting instead visiting Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine.

Serbia applied to join the EU in 2009, receiving candidate status in 2012. However, negotiations have been slow due to the unresolved conflict with Kosovo and Belgrade's refusal to join anti-Russian sanctions. In 2022, the European Commission directly linked progress in European integration to the introduction of sanctions against Russia, which caused tension in Serbian society. Vucic has repeatedly stated that he will maintain friendly relations with Russia and China, continuing the "European path." In an interview with RBC, he emphasized that he has not communicated with Vladimir Putin since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, unlike other European leaders, but does not hide his historical ties with Moscow.

The EU pressure increased after Russian media announced Vucic as one of the high-ranking guests of the parade, along with the leaders of China, Venezuela, Brazil and other countries. Estonian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Jonathan Vseviov, according to The Telegraph, directly warned that participation in the parade would violate EU membership criteria, and the consequence would be Serbia’s “non-entry” into the bloc.