Vučić from Moscow: There will be consequences

(Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated in Moscow that he expects consequences due to his attendance at the Russian military parade marking the victory over fascism in World War II, but that he expects the European Union to punish him, not Serbia.

"I am convinced that Serbia will remain on the European path. If the EU wants to punish someone, let them punish me. I will accept the punishment on myself and I will ask them not to punish the entire country," Vučić told RTS.

Vučić arrived in Moscow yesterday via Bulgaria, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, as Latvia and Lithuania did not grant him permission to fly over their territory.

"We went via Bulgaria, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, and when a corridor was enabled for us, we continued our journey. I arrived in Moscow where I was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Grushko, one of the most important figures in Russian diplomacy," said Vučić.

He claims that some in the Serbian government asked him about introducing reciprocal measures against Latvia and Lithuania, but that he is against it.

Vučić also said that he is proud that, as the president of a country whose people, as he says, fought against fascism, he will attend the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.

"The Serbian people have nothing to be ashamed of, but should be proud of their fight against fascism. If anyone has the right to boast about the fight against fascism, it is the Serbian people," stated Vučić.

He added that today he will meet with Russian Patriarch Kirill, to whom he will present an order, as well as with the President of Kazakhstan, Qasym-Jomart Tokayev, and on Friday, after the parade, first with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and then with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vučić said that he will discuss a new gas arrangement with Putin, and the Oil Industry of Serbia, which the US has imposed sanctions on due to its majority Russian ownership, as well as political cooperation on the international level.