In a bold show of defiance against mounting pressure from Brussels, the leaders of Slovakia and Serbia have announced they will attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9—brushing off criticism from top EU officials and signaling a growing rift between Eastern Europe and the globalist establishment.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić both confirmed their plans to take part in the annual event commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, despite vocal opposition from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The Estonian official has urged all EU leaders—and even EU candidate states—to steer clear of the parade, which she claims sends the wrong message amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
But Fico isn’t having it. Speaking at a press conference in Croatia on April 16, the Slovak leader—who has survived an assassination attempt and is known for his nationalist and anti-globalist stance—made it clear he won’t be dictated to by Brussels.
“I am the legitimate Prime Minister of a sovereign country,” Fico stated. “No one can dictate to me where I can or cannot travel.” He went on to call the event a solemn tribute to the more than 27 million Soviet citizens who died fighting fascism, not a political gesture.
Fico emphasized his deep historical and political understanding behind the decision, noting that Slovakia is home to hundreds of Red Army memorials. “We know who liberated us,” he said. “No one can rewrite that. We weren’t freed from the West—we were freed from the East.”
In Serbia, President Vučić struck a similar tone. A long-time proponent of Serbia’s policy of neutrality, Vučić defended his decision to attend the Moscow event, despite the EU’s warnings that doing so could harm Serbia’s EU membership prospects.
“We are not ashamed of our history or our friendships,” Vučić declared. Speaking to the Serbian press on Wednesday, he added, “I’m ready for the sky to fall on my head over this. I announced this trip eight months ago, and I haven’t changed my mind.”
The EU granted Serbia candidate status in 2012, but Brussels has grown increasingly critical of Belgrade’s refusal to impose sanctions on Russia or distance itself from Moscow. Vučić, however, has stood firm, maintaining key energy and economic ties with Russia even as other European leaders fall in line with the West’s isolation campaign.
The Victory Day parade, held each year in Red Square, remains a cornerstone of Russian national pride and commemorates the country’s pivotal role in defeating Nazi Germany. For leaders like Fico and Vučić, participation in the event represents more than just a diplomatic visit—it’s a stand for historical truth and national sovereignty.
Their decision reflects a broader trend across Central and Eastern Europe, where frustration with the EU’s increasingly heavy-handed approach is fueling a shift in foreign policy. With global alliances evolving and tensions escalating worldwide, their defiance could be an early sign of a new geopolitical alignment—one in which not all of Europe marches to Brussels’ drum.
