Putin Allies in Europe Abruptly Fall Ill Ahead of Moscow Victory Day Visit

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published May 04, 2025 at 5:27 AM EDT


Two European allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin have fallen ill, according to reports, days before they were set to attend a Victory Day parade in Moscow. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have had their trips to Russia questioned amid reported health scares. The Victory Day parade, set to occur on May 9, celebrates the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany. This year marks 80 years since the end of World War II.

Why It Matters

The Victory Day parade in Moscow has grown over the years from a celebration of victory over Nazi Germany into a day to uphold Russian patriotism. It has also expanded since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, particularly as Russian media portrays Ukrainians as Nazis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he cannot guarantee the safety of world leaders attending the event, creating speculation over whether Ukraine is planning a counteroffensive on the day.

What To Know

Vucic announced his sickness when he had to cut short his visit to the United States. The Serbian president consulted with doctors while in the U.S. who advised him to return to Belgrade, The Moscow Times reported. Cardiologist Dragan Dinčić from the Military Medical Academy told Russian outlet RBC that the president experienced chest pain related to his blood pressure. He was supposed to meet with several high-profile Republicans during his visit, and his trip to Moscow is still in question.

After Vucic reported his illness, U.S. special presidential envoy Richard Grenell wished him well on X, formerly Twitter: "Sending our best, @avucic. Sorry to miss you but hope all is ok." Fico, on the other hand, has rejected media reports that he is unwell. Slovak media began questioning his health after he canceled a week's worth of events and appearances. Fico has said he is not changing his plans to visit Moscow on May 9 for the parade.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/putin-allies-europe-fall-ill-ahead-moscow-victory-day-visit-2067787

[generalbetrayus]

1. Have the Ukrainians taken up the Russian tactic of poisoning door knobs?

, or maybe not?

[Zorro]

2. Did Putin invite Trump to attend?

[blue-wave]

3. Probably

But I read that little Marco was considering attending.

[JoseBalow]

4. Absence excused with a doctor's note

They don't want to get blown up by Zelenskyy

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/28/nx-s1-5379942/russia-ukraine-ceasefire-victory-day

[SunSeeker]

6. Serbian social media is mocking Vucic, Trump and Putin about this.

There is a cartoon circulating that has Trump on the phone with Putin lamenting that his friend Vucic is sick, and Putin saying he will make some "tea" for Vucic to make him better, lol.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

10. That's my question

Did Putin give them any tea.

[SunSeeker]

12. Who knows. Putin is annoyed by Vucic's failure to quell the massive protests in Serbia. nt

[ananda]

7. All the news cycles around Europe are really gettting interesting.

I've never seen an area move to the left so fast.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. A few years ago, they were barreling their way to the right

between the Le Pen fiasco and the rise of AfD (although we'll have to see how Merz governs). So with the return of Macron and election of Starmer, it's been a refreshing change (and one can obviously add in what happened in Canada and Australia)!

[NJCher]

9. we can thank

the Pontiff trump for a good part of that.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Most certainly!!!

[Martin68]

13. Uh, oh. Putin's stock is falling.