The Government of Serbia Government of Serbia has continued a practice of granting Serbian citizenship to dozens of Russian nationals, including individuals under international sanctions imposed by the United States and Ukraine.
According to an analysis reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, since the beginning of 2026 Serbia has granted citizenship to four times more Russian citizens than all other foreign nationals combined.
The report states that among the recipients are individuals linked to business networks connected to Kremlin elites, as well as persons sanctioned for supporting Russian interests following the invasion of Ukraine.
One of the most notable cases is Valerij Kazikajev, who received Serbian citizenship on January 16, 2026. He has been under U.S. sanctions since April 2023 due to his ties to Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
Another case involves Sergej Kondratenko, a Russian businessman sanctioned by Ukraine, who is considered by Ukrainian authorities to be the ultimate owner of “Royal Pay Europe,” a company also under sanctions. Ukrainian institutions have linked the firm to financial transfers exceeding €30 million and alleged attempts to take control of assets from a Ukrainian bank in liquidation.
A third individual, Igor Koljushev, an engineer and technical director at the Russian institute “Giprostrojmost,” has also reportedly received Serbian citizenship despite being under Ukrainian sanctions since 2022.
EU Concerns
The European Union European Union has expressed concern over the growing number of sanctioned Russian nationals obtaining Serbian citizenship.
A non-paper cited by European media warns that such practices could pose a security risk to the EU, especially given Serbia’s visa-free access to the Schengen area through its EU candidate status.
Citizenship Surge
According to the same analysis, more than 300 Russian nationals have been granted Serbian citizenship since 2022, including business figures, athletes, and individuals linked to state-owned Russian companies and security structures.
Only in the first five months of 2026, 44 Russian citizens reportedly received citizenship through expedited procedures justified as being in the “interest of the Republic of Serbia.”
EU Accession Pressure
As an EU candidate country, Serbia continues to face pressure to align its foreign policy with the European Union’s sanctions regime. However, Serbia remains the only Western Balkan candidate that has not joined EU sanctions against Russia.
European officials have repeatedly urged Belgrade to clearly define its strategic orientation between Moscow and Brussels, warning that balancing relations with Russia, China, and the EU is no longer acceptable for a country seeking membership.
