On May 7, 2025, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic made an unscheduled landing in Baku, Azerbaijan, while en route to Moscow for the Victory Day parade. The unexpected stop was attributed to rising tensions and military operations in Eastern Europe, which rendered the flight unsafe, as reported by the Serbian portal Informer.
The situation surrounding Vucic's flight was complicated by restrictions imposed by neighboring countries. Both Latvia and Lithuania had previously denied Vucic's plane access to their airspace, citing the "political sensitivity" of the flight's purpose. The Lithuanian authorities explained that the refusal was due to "technical and diplomatic circumstances," further complicating Vucic's travel plans.
According to the Serbian newspaper Blic, Vucic's plane was unable to continue its journey to Moscow due to ongoing drone attacks and the operation of air defense systems in the region. The plane was reportedly awaiting the necessary permissions to resume its flight to the Russian capital.
Despite the emergency landing, the Serbian Embassy confirmed to TASS that Vucic's visit to Moscow remained on schedule. Reports from Baku airport indicated that after the brief stop, Vucic's plane successfully departed for Moscow, where he is set to participate in the 80th anniversary of Victory Day celebrations on May 9, 2025.
In the backdrop of this incident, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously advised world leaders against attending the Moscow celebrations, citing security concerns. Zelensky's remarks emphasized the ongoing conflict and the potential risks associated with the event, noting, "We choose such pain points for Russia that will urge Moscow towards diplomacy… They should be worried that this war continues. They must end the war."
As Vucic's plane made its way to Moscow, it was reported that the restrictions on air travel had severely impacted other flights as well. Over the past day, Moscow airports had repeatedly suspended the reception and departure of aircraft due to the heightened security situation, resulting in the cancellation of dozens of flights. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia estimated that at least 60,000 passengers were affected, disrupting the schedules of approximately 350 flights.
Vucic's trip comes after a tumultuous period for the Serbian president. Just days prior, on May 3, he had to cut short his visit to the United States due to health concerns, which led to speculation about his ability to participate in the upcoming celebrations in Moscow. After being discharged from the hospital, he had initially canceled several engagements, raising doubts about his attendance.
In the context of the Victory Day celebrations, the Kremlin has expressed its discontent regarding the airspace restrictions imposed by neighboring countries, labeling their actions as an "absurd policy filled with Russophobia." Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesperson, highlighted the growing tensions within the European Union regarding these issues.
As the date for the Victory Day parade approaches, the Kremlin has announced that several foreign leaders are expected to attend, including Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the People's Republic of China. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the President of Russia, indicated that 29 foreign leaders had confirmed their participation, underscoring the significance of the event on the international stage.
In summary, President Vucic's journey to Moscow has been fraught with challenges, from airspace denials to security threats. However, with reports confirming that he has now arrived in the Russian capital, the focus will soon shift to the celebrations that commemorate the end of World War II and the sacrifices made during that time.
