The European Union has once again called on Serbia to refrain from holding high-level meetings with Russian officials, emphasizing that relations with Russia cannot remain “business as usual” under current circumstances.
According to a spokesperson for the European Commission, Brussels has been “crystal clear” in its stance, particularly in light of what it describes as Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine.
“This includes refraining from high-level meetings with Russian officials,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The remarks came after a recent visit to Belgrade by Maxim Reshetnikov, who is under EU and U.S. sanctions. During his trip, he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and announced plans for a session of the Russia–Serbia Intergovernmental Committee in April.
The EU reiterated that Serbia, as a candidate country since 2012, is expected to align with the Union’s foreign and security policies. Accession negotiations, which began in 2014, have stalled in recent years—largely due to Belgrade’s continued ties with Moscow and its refusal to adopt EU sanctions against Russia.
“EU membership implies being a reliable partner that shares common principles, values, security, and prosperity,” the European Commission spokesperson stressed, adding that the bloc needs reassurance regarding Serbia’s strategic direction.
Brussels has consistently urged Serbia to demonstrate its commitment to the European path by aligning more closely with EU policies, particularly in response to the war in Ukraine.
