EU Threatens Candidate Countries Over Victory Day Attendance: Russia Accuses Bloc Of ‘Euro-Nazism’

As the 80th anniversary of Victory Day approaches on May 9, tensions between the European Union (EU) and Russia have escalated over the participation of EU candidate countries in Moscow’s commemorative events. The EU has issued warnings to countries aspiring to join the bloc, cautioning them against attending the celebrations in Russia, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that any participation in the May 9 parades or celebrations in Moscow would not be taken lightly by the European side. She urged EU candidate countries to refrain from attending the events, suggesting that such actions would be incompatible with EU values, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing military activities in Ukraine.

“At the ministerial meeting, it was very clearly stated by various member states that any participation in the parade or celebrations on the occasion of May 9 in Moscow would most likely not be from the European side,” she stressed.

The EU’s position has been communicated clearly to candidate countries, with officials warning that attendance at the Moscow celebrations could have repercussions for their EU accession prospects. The secretary-general of Estonia’s ministry of foreign affairs Jonatan Vseviov reportedly stated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s potential visit to Moscow would come at a cost, implying that it could hinder Serbia’s EU membership aspirations.

“We need to ensure that they understand that certain decisions come at a cost,” said Jonatan Vseviov. “The consequence is them not joining the European Union.”

He added: “Russians have been working hard to get people to attend. For us this will be an important litmus test. Basically what we look at is whether or not they are on our side or playing on the other team.”

In response to the EU’s warnings, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the bloc’s actions, accusing it of reviving “Euro-Nazism.” She likened the EU’s pressure on candidate countries to the tactics employed by fascists 80 years ago, who forced those they considered “second-class people” to abandon their homeland, ethnicity, and faith.

Moreover, Zakharova clarified that German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock and her staff continue to “recreate the inhuman practices used by the Nazis.”

Additionally, Germany has decided not to invite Russian and Belarusian representatives to the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to a document from the German Foreign Ministry, institutions are advised not only to refrain from inviting these representatives but also to expel them if they attend. Maria Zakharova condemned this move as a blatant insult, stating that the ideological heirs of Hitler’s executioners are now expelling Russians from Victory celebrations, which she equated to the revival of Nazi practices.

“The fact that the ideological heirs and direct descendants of Hitler’s executioners will expel Russians from Victory celebrations already looks like a blatant insult,” she wrote on her Telegram channel.

Zakharova’s remarks reflect Russia’s broader narrative that the EU’s stance on Victory Day participation is an affront to the shared history of defeating Nazism and an attempt to rewrite historical narratives.

Despite the EU’s warnings, some leaders have expressed their intent to attend the Moscow celebrations. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has rejected the EU’s call to boycott the event, asserting his sovereignty and the importance of honoring Red Army soldiers who liberated Slovakia. Fico’s pro-Russian stance has been evident since his return to power, marked by ending military support for Ukraine and criticizing EU sanctions on Russia.

“I will go to Moscow on May 9,“ Fico said in a statement.

“Mrs. Kallas, I would like to inform you that I am a legitimate premier of Slovakia, a sovereign country,“ he said. “Nobody can order me where to go or not to go“ — said Fico in response to Kallas warnings.

Similarly, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has faced EU pressure over his potential attendance at the Victory Day parade. Reports suggest that EU officials have threatened to halt Serbia’s accession talks if Vucic proceeds with the visit, highlighting the geopolitical tensions surrounding the event.

Victory Day holds profound significance in Russia, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany and honoring the estimated 26.6 million Soviet lives lost during World War II. The annual celebrations serve as a symbol of national pride and historical memory.

The EU’s discouragement of participation in these events by candidate countries underscores the broader geopolitical rift between the West and Russia. It reflects the EU’s efforts to align candidate countries with its foreign policy stance, particularly concerning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

The controversy over Victory Day attendance by EU candidate countries highlights the complex interplay between historical commemoration and contemporary geopolitics. While the EU seeks to maintain a unified stance against Russia’s military actions, Russia views the EU’s pressure as an attempt to undermine shared historical narratives and exert undue influence over sovereign nations.