The European Union has issued a warning to Serbia, indicating that President Aleksandar Vučić's attendance at the May 9 military parade in Moscow could jeopardize the country's EU accession process.

Serbia, which has been a candidate for EU membership since 2012, has maintained a complicated relationship with both Russia and the EU, notably refraining from imposing sanctions against Russia like most EU nations.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign diplomat, emphasized that participation in the Moscow parade would not be taken lightly by the EU, especially in light of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Vučić has been invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin to be the chief guest at the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

In a notable first, a Serbian military unit is set to participate in the parade and assist in its organization, highlighting Serbia's closer ties with Russia.

This announcement comes amid significant domestic unrest in Serbia, where Vučić's government is facing massive protests linked to a deadly construction accident that killed 16 people.

The Serbian parliament has recently approved a new government that includes anti-EU ministers, such as Information Minister Boris Bratina, who has publicly expressed disdain for the EU.

In response to the EU's stance, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the EU's pressure as a revival of 'Euro-Nazism,' reflecting the heightened tensions.

Vučić will be joined at the parade by Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has criticized the EU's warnings against attending the event.

Despite the pressure from the EU, Vučić has expressed his commitment to attending the Moscow event, indicating a determination to maintain Serbia's relationship with Russia.

Vučić has previously commented on the geopolitical landscape, suggesting that Ukraine has suffered the most from Russia's invasion while implying that the U.S. and China have benefited.

The parade itself is not only a commemoration of the Soviet victory in World War II but also serves as a symbol of Russian military power and support for Putin's policies.