Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, arrived in Belgrade on Thursday as guest of honour at a lavish military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Serbian capital from Nazi German occupation.

Ahead of the parade, Putin met Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and President Tomislav Nikolic who gave his Russian counterpart the country’s highest award, the Medal of the Republic of Serbia of the First Order.

The Russian President first visited the Russian cemetery, after which he met the Serbian President, and then the Prime Minister.

At a joint press conference with Putin, Vucic said he had “good news for the people of Serbia” because Putin had agreed that Fiat cars produced in Serbia could be exported to Russia. Russia had also agreed to allow imports of Serbian cheese.

“Serbia is on its way to the EU and it is not abandoning that path,” Vucic said. “Serbia is grateful to Russia that it has respected that and that it has always protected Serbia’s sovereignty.

“Serbia has shown it is a friend of Russia’s also at difficult times and not only when it is easy to be friends with Russia,” he continued, with reference to the crisis between the West and Russia over Ukraine. “This government will not impose sanctions against Russia,” he said.

In his reply, Putin said Serbian exports to Russia could reach 500 million dollars a year if the two sides implemented their agreements, “which would be very beneficial for Serbia and would bring new jobs, but would also be beneficial for Russia.”

Asked about the controversial Russian-led South Stream pipeline project, which the EU opposes, Putin said one side could not do it alone.

“It is like love, it can be happy only if both sides want to develop such relations. We cannot start build a multi-billion pipeline if our partners are still deciding whether it is needed or not.

“I am convinced that this project will benefit everybody, as it reduces transit risks,” he said. “But the issue has become political and that is now damaging economically.”

Adressing energy issues more generally, Putin said Russia had “enough resources for our needs and for the increasing demand of our consumers in Europe and Asia.

“But there are transit risks and if we see that our Ukrainian partners starting, as they did in 2008, to take our gas without permission from the pipelines, we will reduce the amounts of gas, like we did in 2008. We hope it will not come to that.”

Putin also announced that President Nikolic of Serbia will be visiting Moscow on May 9, 2015 to attend celebrations marking 70 years since the victory over Nazi Germany.

Representatives of Serbia and Russia have meanwhile signed a number of agreements. The fields include military and technical cooperation, data protection, customs, railways, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Programme of the parade Arrival of Serbian and Russian presidents

Gun salute

Anthem of the Republic of Serbia

Speech of the President of Serbia

Speech of the President of Russia

Paratroopers performance

Infantry units parade

Guard parade

River fleet parade

Motorised parade

Aviation echelon parade

The Swifts aerobatic performance

Following his meeting with Serbian officials, Putin is attending the parade that Serbia is organizing to mark the liberation of Belgrade, and address the public.

About 20,000 people gathered to see the first military parade in decades. The parade kicked off with three shots of gun salute and the Serbian anthem.

The gathered audience chanted paroles “Serbia, Russia!” and “We do not need the Union!” and “Putin, a Serb!”

Diplomats, state officials and Serbian celebrities attended the parade, including Michael Davenport, the head of the EU delegation in Serbia, German Ambassador to Serbia Heinz Wilhelm, Serbian ministers Vanja Udovicic and Aleksandar Vulin, former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, but also film directors Emir Kusturica and Dragan Bjelogrlic.

It is first military parade of this kind since 1985 and about 3,000 Serbian soldiers took part.

Following a gun salute, the Serbian army showcased its troop units, tanks and artillery, along with an air display. Paratroopers parachuted in from aircraft overhead and military ships sailed along the river.

Special guests at the parade were a Russian aerobatic performance team, called the Strizhi (Swifts).

This is Putin’s third visit to Belgrade since 2000.