EU Takes Serbia’s Accusations Against Russia Very Seriously

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The European Union has “serious questions” about strengthening ties between Serbia and Russia. The Union underlines a country that wants to join the EU cannot deal with Russia as if nothing is wrong.

The EU has long been concerned about the candidate country, a longtime ally of Russia. Serbia has refused to take sides with Kyiv and the West since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The government in Belgrade is also not joining the Western sanctions against Russia, while aspiring members are expected to align their foreign policy with that of the EU. However, on Friday, the foreign minister of Serbia agreed to consult more closely with his Russian counterpart.

“That very clear signal raises serious questions,” said the EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell spokesman. “The EU has been very clear” that certainly candidate members “cannot continue as usual” with “this regime that commits so many crimes and atrocities”. Moreover, He recalls that Russia announced last week that it would further exacerbate the conflict.

Several MEPs have called for an end to accession negotiations with Serbia. The European Foreign Service does not comment on this, but the spokesperson does point out that the Serbian hope for EU membership “implies alignment with European policy, including foreign policy”. That’s why “we take this very seriously and are monitoring this”.