Serbia’s Dangerous Balancing Act: Russia, the EU, and a Choice That Can’t Be Delayed

Serbia’s stuck in the middle. Having feelings towards the EU, it still wants to be close with Russia. President Vucic has strived to do both for years. That game’s nearly up.

The EU selected a side quickly when Russia attacked Ukraine. Russia was hit very hard with Sanciactions and, it expected, countries like Serbia to follow. Serbia didn’t. It didn’t say anything, which cost it, and because the silence remained. EU talks slowed down. Trust faded.

On May 9, Vucic then plans to travel to Moscow to attend a big military parade with Putin. Bad timing? Understatement. The EU interprets it as a clear message: Serbia’s siding with Russia. And it could do down its EU chances for good.

Brussels warned him—don’t go. Should he, Serbia could lose its best chance of being accepted into the EU. Simple as that.

But Vucic seems certain to go ahead. He’s gambling big. Serbia has the choice: on Russia, or, on the contrary, at Europe. It can’t have both anymore.

However things pan out next, it will mark it.