Is Serbia moving away from the European Union and aligning itself more closely with Russia, alongside countries like Belarus and Georgia? Is Serbia inevitably embracing Putin’s Russia, as Moscow strengthens its pro-Russian influence in Europe, potentially ahead of future peace negotiations with Ukraine?
Jutarnji List discusses a controversial proposal by Aleksandar Vulin, a close ally of President Aleksandar Vučić and the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, for a new law that would regulate foreign agents. Known colloquially as the “Russian Law,” this piece of legislation is inspired by laws that have been previously enacted in Russia, where it is used to control NGOs, human rights groups, and political opponents of the Kremlin.
The Foreign Agents Law would effectively target all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving foreign funding, subjecting them to additional registration requirements, oversight by the Ministry of Justice, and a public label as “foreign agents” in media and political discourse. This law would make it increasingly difficult for civil society organizations to operate freely, particularly those advocating for human rights and the rights of minorities, further tightening the grip of the government on political opposition and civil society.
This development has raised significant concerns about Serbia’s commitment to European values, as the law is seen to be in direct conflict with the principles of democracy, transparency, and freedom of expression upheld by the EU. Vulin has argued that the law is comparable to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which was passed in 1938, but critics argue that it has little in common with the U.S. law’s original aim of combating Nazi propaganda.
Vulin’s ties to Russia are no secret. He has visited Moscow multiple times in 2024, meeting with President Vladimir Putin, and Serbia has increasingly aligned itself with Russia on international issues, particularly in the context of Serbia’s stance on Kosovo. The proposal is seen as part of a broader strategy by Russia to reinforce its influence in Serbia and other Balkans countries, such as Montenegro, which is also considering similar laws.
Political Reactions
The law has faced criticism from various political actors. Branko Čičan, director of the Center for Investigative Journalism in Serbia, suggested that Vučić’s goal is to suppress independent media, restrict the operations of NGOs, and eliminate any political opposition to the regime. There is also a growing concern that the law could target Russian dissidents, including anti-Putin activists who have sought refuge in Serbia.
Meanwhile, pro-Vučić media outlets have defended the proposal, framing it as a necessary measure to combat foreign influence in Serbia, while attacking opponents as “anti-Serb” or accusing them of undermining national interests.
International Impact and EU Response
Serbia’s increasing ties with Russia are raising alarm in the West. Brussels and Washington have expressed concerns over Serbia’s alignment with Russian interests, particularly at a time when the EU is seeking to isolate Russia for its actions in Ukraine. The European Union may be hard-pressed to ignore the impact of such legislation, as it represents a significant step away from Serbia’s previously stated ambition to join the EU.
At the same time, Serbia’s position in the region remains delicate. As countries like Montenegro make strides in their EU negotiations, Vučić is determined not to let them join the EU before Serbia, fearing the compromise of Serbia’s regional ambitions.
This shift towards Russia and the possible adoption of this “foreign agents” law signal a further distancing of Serbia from its European aspirations, placing it firmly in Russia’s sphere of influence.
