Vucic: In Moscow again, after many years

MOSCOW - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who on Wednesday arrived in Moscow for the Victory Day parade, said that, after many years, he was in the Russian capital again and that he was proud of the Serbs' anti-fascist struggle and grateful for the Red Army's help in the WWII liberation of Serbia.

"In Moscow again, after many years. Proud of the anti-fascist struggle of my Serbian nation and grateful for the enormous help we had from the Red Army during Serbia's liberation," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account that also included photos of his arrival at Moscow's Vnukovo airport. 

Vucic was greeted by Russian Deputy FM Alexander Grushko and given a guard-of-honour welcome. 

Earlier in the day, Vucic's presidential plane was held up in Baku due to armed clashes between Russia and Ukraine but was later granted permission to continue the flight to Moscow.

Airports in several Russian cities have recently been closed due to attacks by Ukrainian drones. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide Yury Ushakov announced on Tuesday Putin would hold bilateral discussions with Vucic on May 9. 

Vucic has said he would travel to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations despite all pressure and that he would proudly represent Serbia at events that will mark the 80th anniversary of the WWII victory against fascism.