The European Union has warned its member states and candidate countries from the Western Balkans against participating in Victory Day events scheduled to take place in Moscow on May 9, amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said it was “clearly stated” during the talks that attending commemorations in Moscow would be “unacceptable.”
“When Russia is waging a full-scale war in Europe, participation in such celebrations sends the wrong message,” Kallas said, urging EU leaders instead to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine by visiting Kyiv “as often as possible.”
Foreign ministers from several EU candidate countries, including those from the Western Balkans, were also present at the Luxembourg gathering.
Russian media reports suggest that invitations to the Moscow celebrations have been extended to leaders from Serbia, Slovakia, China, India and Brazil. The events mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism in the Second World War.
Serbia, an EU membership candidate, has long maintained close ties with Russia. Meanwhile, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose country is an EU member, said last November that he had “gladly accepted” an invitation from President Vladimir Putin to attend the event in Moscow.
In response, Ukraine has sought to draw European leaders to Kyiv on the same day. According to Politico, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha invited EU foreign ministers to mark May 9 in Ukraine, urging them to “show unity and strength in the face of the greatest aggression in Europe since World War II.”
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski backed the initiative, telling Deutsche Welle it was “a great idea” and a symbolic way to demonstrate that Europe stands with – Ukraine- and not with Moscow.
