**Serbia Signals Possible Sanctions on Russia as EU Membership Nears**
In a recent interview, Serbian European Integration Minister Nemanja Starovic revealed that his country is prepared to impose sanctions on Russia if and when it becomes an official member of the European Union. This announcement comes as Serbia continues to navigate its complex relationship with both the West and Moscow.
For years, Serbia has been a formal EU candidate, but progress towards membership has been slow due to concerns over rule of law and ongoing tensions with Kosovo. Despite not joining EU sanctions against Russia, Serbia’s decision reflects economic pragmatism rather than political alignment, according to Starovic. He emphasized that Russia would not be affected by the sanctions, but the Serbian economy would be significantly impacted.
**Serbia’s Balancing Act**
President Aleksandar Vucic has been trying to maintain a delicate balance between Russia and the West. In May, he attended Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, which was seen as a provocative move given Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. However, Vucic also visited Ukraine in June, where he expressed his country’s willingness to offer “practical assistance” to Kyiv.
The Serbian president has been criticized for not doing enough to support Ukraine, but Starovic pushed back against these accusations, stating that Serbia had clearly and unambiguously condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine. He also noted that it was up to the Ukrainians themselves to speak on their behalf.
**Tensions Between Belgrade and Moscow**
The relationship between Serbia and Russia has been strained in recent months, with Moscow accusing Belgrade of supplying weapons to Ukraine through intermediaries. In response, Vucic announced that Serbia would be suspending all arms exports due to national security and economic concerns.
Despite these tensions, Serbia remains one of the last EU candidate countries that has not imposed sanctions on Russia. However, if and when it becomes an official member of the EU, Starovic suggests that Serbia will reconsider its stance on Russian sanctions.
**A Shift in Tone?**
Starovic’s comments suggest a possible shift in tone from Belgrade towards Moscow. While Serbia has long sought to maintain good relations with both the West and Russia, the current situation appears to be pushing it towards a more EU-friendly position.
It remains to be seen whether this signals a genuine change of heart or simply a pragmatic decision driven by economic considerations. One thing is certain, however: Serbia’s relationship with Russia will continue to be closely watched as the country navigates its complex path towards EU membership.
