News: Serbia moves towards a new gas supply agreement with Russia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in order to discuss about a new contract for the supply of Russian gas.

This makes Serbia’s position even more ambiguous, since President Vucic, during an interview with the local television network on 15 May, announced that Serbia will not introduce sanctions against Russia - which he considered unjust -  and stressed the willingness to conduct the country’s policy in line with national interests.

Vucic’s statements aroused European discontent. During the informal meeting between EU and Balkan Foreign Ministers on 16 May, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said that "keeping close ties with Vladimir Putin is not compatible with EU values" and that "it is not possible to remain neutral on the aggression of Ukraine".  Borell also called on the Balkan countries "to adapt to sanctions as soon as possible", recalling that future member countries "must be aligned with the EU’s foreign policy".