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Politico: Pheidiás to Visit Russia on 'Victory Day' - What is the Purpose?

Published May 9, 2025, 09:42
Politico: Pheidiás to Visit Russia on 'Victory Day' - What is the Purpose?

Cypriot MEP Pheidiás Panayiotou has sparked controversy within the European Union with his decision to visit Moscow on Russia's 'Victory Day', a day of celebration marked by a military parade led by Vladimir Putin. MEPs from Germany and Slovakia are also participating in the delegation. The visit is considered contentious due to Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine and the critical need for EU support for Kyiv. Panayiotou has previously expressed doubts about Ukraine's chances of victory. Panayiotou himself assured that he will not attend the military parade but intends to use the opportunity to engage in 'diplomacy' and record his observations. The organization of the delegation is attributed to German MEP Michael von der Schulenburg, in collaboration with officials from the BSW party. In a video he posted, Panayiotou and his companions described themselves as 'voices of peace', emphasizing the importance of dialogue and compromise in achieving peace. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, warned of the responsibilities of MEPs and the potential misinterpretations of their actions. The criticism of the visit also focused on the possibility of funding from the European Parliament's funds, with Valérie Hayer calling for assurance that no resources will be used for this trip. Panayiotou, who was elected MEP in 2024 with significant success, stated that the visit is undertaken at his own responsibility and in a personal capacity.