**EU Warns Serbia Over Russian Victory Parade Visit**
The European Union has issued a warning to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, saying that his planned visit to Moscow for Russia’s Victory Day Parade on May 9 could jeopardize Serbia’s bid to join the EU. The warning comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate.
Serbia applied to join the EU in 2009 and received candidate status in 2012, but its president has maintained friendly ties with Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Vucic is reported to attend the annual Moscow Victory Day Parade on May 9 and will contribute military assets to the parade, according to Russian state media.
**EU Membership Criteria**
In response to Vucic’s planned visit, EU officials have warned that it would violate EU membership criteria and potentially block Serbia’s accession process. “We need to ensure that they understand that certain decisions come at a cost,” said Jonatan Vseviov, Secretary General of Estonia’s Foreign Ministry. “The consequence is them not joining the European Union.”
**Russia’s Victory Day Parade**
Russia has invited leaders from several countries, including China, Israel, and Brazil, to attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Despite EU warnings, Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, is also confirmed to attend the parade.
**Ukraine’s Counter-Measures**
Meanwhile, Ukraine has invited senior EU leaders and officials to Kyiv on May 9 to counter Russia’s celebration. The country has been at odds with Russia since 2014, when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power.
**Global Response**
The international community is increasingly concerned about Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda said that “Russia is behaving aggressively towards NATO and implementing its brutal and bloodthirsty imperialism.” The US has also imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the closure of the State Department’s office responsible for countering foreign disinformation.
**Ukraine’s Fight**
The Ukrainian military continues to fight against Russian forces. Two people were killed and 28 injured in a Russian drone attack on Dnipro late last month. Ukrainian prosecutors have launched a war crimes investigation after a captured and unarmed soldier was allegedly executed by Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast.
**Global Support for Ukraine**
India is developing a new strategy to boost its defense exports, offering long-term, low-cost loans through its state-owned Export-Import Bank to foreign buyers, including those traditionally reliant on Russian arms. The European Union is considering sending “military advisors” to Ukraine to organize training for the Ukrainian military.
**Russian Aggression**
Russia has violated a partial ceasefire covering energy infrastructure more than 30 times since it was agreed in March, targeting critical infrastructure across Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
**International Support for Ukraine Continues**
The international community remains committed to supporting Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are set to travel to Paris later this week for high-level meetings on ending the war in Ukraine.
