Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has confirmed he will visit Moscow in May for World War II commemorations, his first trip to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.
Vucic made the announcement in a public address following an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin for the event.
"If the end of the world doesn't happen - although I'm not so sure anymore, but I hope it doesn't happen - it will be a great honor for me to be in Red Square for the 80th anniversary of liberation from fascism," Vucic said.
The Serbian president said he had also discussed the event with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who "will also attend".
The Kremlin has said it wants to turn May 9 into "the biggest holiday in its history" amid an imposition of patriotic and military values to prop up the conflict in Ukraine.
Serbia has been a candidate country for EU membership since 2012, and its officials stress that the European path is a strategic priority for the country.
However, Serbia maintains strong ties with Russia both politically and economically, relying almost entirely on Russian gas. The current gas agreement expires in March and a new one is currently under discussion.
Brussels has often expressed concern about Belgrade's ties with Moscow and has urged Serbia to align its foreign and security policy with Europe.
During her visit to Belgrade in late October, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cancelled talks with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic over his previous meeting with a Russian minister. | BGNES
