Russians made no secret of their enthusiasm for hosting prominent world leaders during the Victory Day commemorations—and one particular gesture earned Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic special admiration from the Russian public.
In addition to being recognized for his courage in resisting pressure and keeping his word to attend the event in Moscow, Vucic drew widespread praise for showing deep respect to his hosts by addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin in fluent Russian. The significance of this moment was amplified by the fact that the event was broadcast by all major Russian media outlets, allowing the Russian public to hear Serbia’s messages of friendship directly.
“We are proud of the role our people played in the liberation of our country from Nazi occupiers, and we are deeply grateful to the Soviet Army for the vital part it played in that liberation. I would also like to personally thank you for your strong support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, and for your significant contribution to the development of our bilateral relations,” Vucic told Putin in Russian during their meeting.
He also expressed agreement with President Putin on the need to increase trade between the two countries, noting that there is great potential for growth. On the subject of energy, Vucic thanked Russia for the favorable gas supply terms provided under a long-term agreement.
“We hope we can maintain those same conditions—or perhaps even improve them,” Vucic added.
President Putin, speaking yesterday, extended special gratitude to European leaders who attended the Victory Day ceremony despite external threats and pressure. He emphasized Russia’s appreciation for their courage.
“I would like to highlight that, despite threats, blackmail, and obstacles—including airspace closures—leaders from several European countries came to Moscow: from Serbia, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I repeat, we fully understand the immense pressure they were under, and that is why we sincerely value their political courage, their firm moral stance, and their decision to stand with us—to honor the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, World War II, who fought for their homeland and for the liberation of the world from the ‘brown plague’—for all of humanity, without exaggeration,” Putin said in his address following a series of international meetings at the Kremlin.
Vucic’s decision to speak in Russian was met with enthusiasm across Russia. Major media outlets highlighted his gesture in their coverage, featuring headlines that praised the Serbian president for his respectful and direct communication in the Russian language.
