Non-attached Cypriot Member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou will visit Moscow on Friday, coinciding with the country’s “Victory Day” celebrations.
Panayiotou will travel alongside MEPs from Germany’s Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and Slovakia’s SMER party. His advisor told POLITICO the MEP “is not going to go to the military parade” but received “the opportunity to go to Russia” and intends to “document what he sees.”
The advisor said Panayiotou believes “we have to talk to the Russians” and “exercise diplomacy.” The visit was reportedly organised by non-attached German lawmaker Michael von der Schulenburg, with BSW’s Ruth Firmenich also attending.
On Thursday, Panayiotou posted a video featuring himself and other MEPs describing themselves as “voices for peace.” In the video, he stated, “We can only reach peace by talking with each other and to try to find compromises. This is what diplomacy is about.”
MEPs from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s ruling SMER party will also join the visit.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola issued a warning during Wednesday’s plenary session, urging MEPs to “weigh up their responsibilities seriously and understand how their actions could impact our efforts.” She added, “With Ukrainians still fighting for their freedom, I would urge you all to tread carefully.”
Renew Europe group chair Valérie Hayer had previously called on Metsola to ensure no Parliament funds would support trips to Moscow.
Panayiotou last year described continued European support for Ukraine as “crazy and inhumane,” arguing Ukraine could not win on the battlefield.
(Source: Politico)
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