What to Do About Fico and Vučić in Moscow

Last week marked “Victory Day” in Russia to celebrate the triumph which defeated the Nazis, effectively concluding WWII in Europe. Victory day in Russia did not disappoint, symbolizing an event of pride, patriotism, and propaganda. Putin recognizes that global politics is heavily influenced by perception, and the side that controls information most effectively holds the advantage. To portray Russia as a relevant global power, over two dozen world leaders joined the Kremlin in celebration.

Two of them – Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić and Slovakia’s Robert Fico represent Russia’s success in resisting Western diplomatic isolation, legitimization of its global influence, and defiance of EU pressure.

Despite rumors that they would cancel their visit due to health concerns, the Serbian president and Slovakian prime minister arrived in Moscow ahead of Victory Day celebrations on May 9.

Vučić posted images from Moscow on his social media accounts, saying that he “gave his word” to Putin that he would attend, and “I did what I said.”

Fico, meanwhile, rebuked the EU for warning him not to attend the parade, invoking his status as leader of a sovereign state and declaring that “no one can tell me where to go or not to go.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised both leaders for their “act of heroism” against “open, unrestrained pressure” from the European Union.

The EU threatened Fico and Vučić for travelling to Russia and Brussels had condemned Vučić’s plan to attend the celebration, saying that it would place Serbia in violation of the EU’s established membership criteria.

Brussels has to understand that Vučić is not interested in joining the EU. Vučić only keeps the door open to EU accession to exploit EU funds. He has no interest in aligning Serbia with the EU’s strict rules about corruption, rule of law, and democratic governance. Indeed, one of the first things Vučić did upon coming to power was to undermine the pro-Western political opposition while strengthening far-right groups to improve his political standing.

On the other hand, Vučić is facing massive protests at home after a roof at a new railway station in the city of Novi Sad collapsed, killing 16 people.

Ultimately, Vučić needs Putin. To this end, Western leaders have tried to appease Serbia’s president by offering incentives, including economic initiatives and investments, in the hopes of making him a partner. This is a fool’s errand. Vučić does not want Serbia closer to the West and in the European Union. His ultimate goal is to remain in power while playing both sides, maintaining close ties with Russia and China while receiving economic benefits from the EU.

Putin is humiliating Brussels by hosting Vučić and Fico in Moscow, ensuring that the EU’s response remains weak and largely rhetorical, with no concrete repercussions. Regardless of EU’s threats and Vučić’s visit in Moscow, on May 13, the European Council president António Costa visited Vučić in Belgrade and emphasized how Serbia is “fully committed to the European accession process.”

Meanwhile, British MP Emma Lewell, submitted a letter which was co-signed by 25 other parliamentarians to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in order to condemn Vučić’s visit in Moscow. She called “on the government to change course, starting with a series of major sanctions against the government and its collaborators…”

Now, Brussels should follow through on its threats to Serbia and Slovakia. First, the EU should cease funding to Vučić as EU accession funds bolster his authoritarian regime. Brussels should not fear Belgrade’s escalation as Vučić needs the EU more than the EU needs Vučić – this will also send a clear signal to Moscow and Belgrade that the EU is serious about upholding its values, which Vučić seems to think he can exploit.

Second, Brussels should treat Fico as it treats Viktor Orban and impose more extensive financial costs, legitimizing the EU’s power and laying a foundation backed by credible threats. Despite Fico and Vučić’s bluster their political strategy is exceedingly brittle and the EU should not fall for their games.

Dr. Ivana Stradner serves as a research fellow with the Barish Center for Media Integrity at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.