Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is en route to Moscow to attend Victory Day celebrations but is currently grounded in Baku awaiting clearance to continue the flight, Serbian state news agency Tanjug reported on Wednesday.
Vučić is traveling to Russia to take part in the Victory Day military parade on Red Square, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the defeat of fascism in World War Two. The aircraft carrying the Serbian delegation is unable to proceed due to security concerns related to ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, Tanjug said.
All necessary flight permissions had initially been granted, but the situation changed due to active conflict in the region. Moscow’s airports have also been temporarily closed amid a series of recent drone attacks on several Russian cities, local media reported.
Earlier, Russia’s Sputnik news agency said Vučić had departed for Moscow, with a bilateral meeting scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, according to the Kremlin.
The precise flight route remains unclear after Latvia and Lithuania reportedly denied overflight rights, citing the “political sensitivity” of the visit.
Victory Day, observed on May 9, is one of Russia’s most important national holidays, with over 20 world leaders expected to attend events in Moscow.
Vučić, who recently returned to work following health issues during a visit to the United States, met on Tuesday with Russian Ambassador Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko and UK Ambassador Edward Ferguson in Belgrade.
He is expected to address the public later in the evening.
