Several EU nations prevented the leaders from using their airspace on their way to Moscow.
President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia shared a video of himself shaking hands with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico near the Kremlin. Both leaders faced obstacles reaching Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations due to airspace bans imposed by several EU countries.
“Brotherly meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico tonight in Moscow. Serbs and Slovaks brothers forever!” Vucic posted on Instagram on Thursday, accompanying a video of the two leaders greeting each other.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had cautioned leaders from EU member states and candidate countries against traveling to Russia for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, suggesting they visit Kiev instead.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also reportedly informed Vucic in late April that his presence in Moscow could negatively affect Serbia’s EU accession.
Latvia and Lithuania refused Vucic’s plane access to their airspace, forcing it to be rerouted through Bulgaria, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Estonia also denied access to facilitate Fico’s aircraft, despite Slovakia possessing a standing permit for government flights to use Estonian airspace throughout the year.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna asserted that EU representatives should avoid participating in “propaganda events organized by Russia.”
Despite the attempted blocks, both Vucic and Fico proceeded with their plans to attend the Victory Day event in Moscow. They are among more than two dozen world leaders participating in this year’s commemorations in the Russian capital. Other attendees include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.