Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić denied any close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech at the GLOBESEC security conference in Prague. Despite Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Russia, Vučić emphasized that Belgrade had condemned the invasion of Ukraine. The president acknowledged that Serbia, along with Türkiye, was the only EU candidate country that had not implemented sanctions against Russia. He also expressed doubt that Serbia would become an EU member state by 2028 due to various issues, including the need to align foreign policies with those of the EU.
While Vučić acknowledged having a “great” conversation with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, he admitted that Serbia’s progress towards EU membership has been slow. The country became an EU candidate in 2012 but has made little progress in the areas of rule of law and democratic reforms. Belgrade must also align its foreign policies with the EU, including imposing sanctions on Russia, which has been a contentious issue.
The Vučić government has faced criticism for democratic backsliding, corruption, and alleged links to organized crime, leading to anti-government protests. The most recent Freedom House report ranks Serbia’s political rights score negatively, indicating a tendency towards authoritarianism. Despite these challenges, Vučić remains optimistic about Serbia’s path towards EU membership, projecting that it may not happen before 2030.
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