Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s journey to attend Victory Day commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, commemorating the Soviet Union’s campaign on the Eastern Front, was rerouted after Baltic countries closed their airspace in response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. His presidential aircraft, en route from Belgrade, made an unexpected landing in Baku, Azerbaijan, before continuing to Russia.

According to the Serbian news agency Tanjug, initial overflight clearances were revoked once regional military operations intensified. Flight-tracking data showed that several Moscow-bound flights were canceled and that some Russian airports have been temporarily shut down following Ukrainian drone activity.

Sputnik, the Russian state-funded outlet, reported Vucic’s onward departure to Moscow, where he is expected to join the Victory Day Parade in Red Square. The Kremlin has announced plans for a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin during the visit.

In a related development, Vucic’s planned trip to Washington for talks with U.S. officials was recently canceled on health grounds, a change that drew attention given Serbia’s delicate balancing of ties between the EU and Russia. His medical team later confirmed his recovery and return to duties.

European Union representatives have urged Western Balkan candidates, including Serbia, to align their foreign policies with EU standards and to refrain from participating in events viewed as supporting Russia’s wartime narrative. Many EU and NATO leaders are opting to skip Moscow ceremonies, reflecting ongoing Western condemnation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022.

/a.p./