You cannot apply for EU membership and go to the Moscow parade, the EC said.

The European Commission was quite clear, not only towards EU member states, but also to its partners, including membership candidates such as Serbia, in connection with the eventual participation in the events in Moscow related to the anniversary of the end of World War II on May 9, EC chief spokeswoman Pinlo said today.

« Relations with Russia cannot be developed as if it is normal in conditions of Putin’s current regime and in the current circumstances of the unprofessional and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, » Pinho said in response to a journalist’s question that the EU would take if Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended a military parade on May 9.

European Commission Enlargement, International Partnership and Mediterranean spokesman Guilla Mersie added that the EU expects countries that apply and negotiate membership to be confidential partners in common principles, values, security and prosperity.

– It is necessary for Serbia to assure us of such a strategic direction. The EU was quite clear to our partners, including candidate countries such as Serbia, that relations with Russia cannot develop as if it were normal – Mersie said.

Regarding the possible consequences for Serbia over Vucic’s eventual participation in celebrations in Moscow, Mersie noted that the EC never said « there would be no consequences », but that it was too early to judge something that had not yet happened and what would happen on May 9.

Regarding the announcement that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will also attend the parade in Moscow, Pinho stressed that the suggestion for non -participation of these events applies not only to candidates for membership but also to member states.

– We see this celebration on May 9 as part of Russian propaganda and Russia’s attempt to justify its invasion of Ukraine. That is why we are of the view that we should refrain from giving legitimacy to this war in any way, as well as the presence of celebrations in May in Moscow – added Pigno.