The Serbian government has officially announced that Serbia and the Russian Federation will jointly mark Victory Day over fascism, which is celebrated on May 9.

According to the announcement, a decision was made at a meeting of the Council of Ministers to establish a working group to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The main task of this group will be to organize joint celebrations between the two countries, RTS reported.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has confirmed several times that he will visit Moscow for the parade, where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two are expected to discuss a new gas agreement, as well as the future of Serbia's oil industry (NIS) and the threat of US sanctions against it.

The European Union responded to the announced visit by expressing its expectation that Serbia would act as a reliable partner and clearly demonstrate its strategic orientation. The European Commission told the RSE that relations with Russia cannot continue on the basis of "business as usual," especially in view of the aggression against Ukraine.

The visit to Moscow will be Vučić's first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago. He said he would not change his decision, even if it led to possible sanctions by the West against Belgrade.

Serbia has not opened a single new chapter in its EU accession talks since December 2021. The reason is its refusal to align its foreign policy with that of the Union and to impose sanctions on Russia. Brussels is also insisting on progress in the area of the rule of law and dialogue with Kosovo. | BGNES