The European Parliament has opened an investigation into several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who visited Moscow to attend Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, according to Cypriot lawmaker Fidias Panayiotou.
In a video message posted to social media platform X on Monday, Panayiotou claimed that the trip “was not liked at all in the European Parliament,” and that an official probe into the delegation had begun.
Panayiotou, who was elected as an independent MEP in 2024, joined a group of lawmakers from multiple EU nations—including Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Serbia—for meetings with Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma.
The delegation attended the Victory Day ceremony on May 9, which marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany. The event drew 28 foreign dignitaries, despite behind-the-scenes efforts by Brussels to dissuade attendance.
Panayiotou has consistently voiced opposition to what he sees as the EU’s overly aggressive posture toward Russia, especially regarding the Ukraine conflict. He advocates for diplomatic engagement over military support, stating that “Europe should not be fueling a war, but working to end it.”
During the meeting, Volodin emphasized the importance of international dialogue, saying that direct talks between lawmakers “allow us to understand each other and reach decisions that benefit our nations.”
The European Commission has not issued a formal statement about the investigation. However, sources in Brussels suggest the inquiry may focus on whether the delegation breached protocols or acted contrary to the EU’s unified foreign policy stance.
Among the high-profile attendees were Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, both of whom ignored diplomatic pressure to skip the event. Vučić, whose country is a candidate for EU membership, said he expected to face “personal consequences” for attending.
“I’m proud to be here in Moscow,” Vučić said from Red Square. “Not because of politics, but because of history, honor, and memory.”
Fico, for his part, called the visit “extremely successful,” and held separate talks with officials from China, Brazil, and other nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised those who traveled to Moscow, stating, “They are leaders not because of their office, but because of their character, convictions, and courage to act on them.”