Serbian President Remains Committed to Joining EU After Moscow Visit

Aleksandar Vucic said his decision to attend Putin’s Victory Day parade was part of efforts to maintain ’traditional friendships.’

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attends a pro-government rally in Serbia on April 11, 2025. Oliver Bunic/AFP via Getty Images

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday said that his country remains committed to its plan to join the European Union and wants to speed up its membership bid, after his recent trip to Russia raised eyebrows in Brussels.

Vucic visited Moscow on May 8 and May 9 to attend the “Victory Day” parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

While there, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

However, after a rendezvous with the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, on Tuesday, the Serbian leader said he wanted to expedite Belgrade’s integration into the EU.

The European Council is responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the 27-nation bloc.

“Serbia’s political will is to accelerate its integration, to do its job. The atmosphere [in the EU] ... is not exactly great, I’m convinced because of the trip to Moscow, but ... I believe that Europe will have understanding for merit-based progress,” Vucic said.

Serbia has seen six months of student protests after a train station roof collapsed in the northern town of Novi Sad, resulting in the deaths of 16 people, which many in the country blamed on corruption in infrastructure construction.

The unrest has prompted Vucic to vow that his government would work to implement the reforms needed to meet the entry requirements for becoming part of the EU.

These include addressing corruption; reforming its judiciary, media, and election laws; and mending relations with its former province of Kosovo, whose independence it does not recognize.

Serbia must also recalibrate its foreign policies to gel with those laid out by the EU, including imposing sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

“A key element of our common foreign and security policy is the clear condemnation of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace,” Costa said.

EU officials had urged presidents of nations aspiring to join the union to avoid Moscow’s World War II commemorations.

Costa said: “I was glad to hear that EU integration remains a top priority for you and the new government. What is important now is that this swiftly translates into concrete actions and acceleration of reforms.

“I believe Serbia’s future is in the European Union.

“The ball is in your camp, now. And, please, we cannot waste time, the future does not wait—to open Cluster 3 and to continue achieving a successful accession of Serbia to the European Union.”

Vucic has said his decision to attend Putin’s parade was part of efforts to maintain “traditional friendships”—Russia is a fellow Slavic and Orthodox Christian nation—while still pursuing entry to the EU.

Russia is Serbia’s historical ally and its main supplier of natural gas.

Moscow also supports Belgrade in its opposition to Kosovo’s independence.

During their meeting after the parade, Putin said the Kremlin appreciated that Vucic had come to Russia despite the pressure.

“I know that they tried to dissuade you, certain logistical problems were created, but nevertheless, you are here with us, and we highly appreciate it,” Putin said.

Costa was in Belgrade at the start of his tour of six Western Balkan membership hopefuls, and traveled to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina later on Tuesday.

Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia have secured EU membership candidate status.

Kosovo, meanwhile, is still only a potential candidate.

Earlier this month, MEPs in the European Parliament said that Kosovo needs to accelerate its EU-related reforms and that Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law and media freedom and to fight corruption.