Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has condemned EU warnings to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic regarding his planned visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations as “banditry and blackmail.” In a Telegram post, Zakharova likened the EU’s approach to “pirate, mafia, and terrorist cell tactics,” questioning what “dark signs” the West was using as threats.

Zakharova further accused the European Commission of adopting “gangster-style methods” in its dealings with Serbia, an EU candidate country. She challenged whether the EU had “abandoned democracy,” arguing that Brussels should respect democratic outcomes rather than resort to “dictatorial” pressure. Her remarks came after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged European leaders to avoid Moscow’s May 9 military commemorations and instead show solidarity with Ukraine.

Estonian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Jonatan Vseviov reinforced the EU’s stance, warning that attending the Moscow events would carry consequences, including potential obstacles to EU accession. The statements highlight growing tensions between Russia and the West over Serbia’s balancing act between European integration and its traditionally close ties with Moscow.