Kremlin accuses EU of forcing Serbia to choose between Russia and EU membership

Lead

The Kremlin has accused the European Union of trying to force Serbia into choosing between maintaining cooperation with Russia and pursuing EU membership, a policy spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as "extremely wrong." Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Peskov said Moscow is confident Belgrade will continue to base its decisions on national interests despite the pressure.

In parallel, a senior Serbian political figure has called for a national referendum on EU integration, reflecting growing domestic friction over Brussels' demands.

Coverage Comparison

The story has been reported primarily by TASS, Russia's state news agency. Four TASS articles, published between April 23 and May 5, cover Peskov's remarks and related developments. Each article highlights the Kremlin's view that the EU is presenting Serbia with an ultimatum. The coverage is consistent across the reports, with no conflicting details. No non-Russian sources have yet been included in this brief.

Key Claims

• EU pressure on Serbia: According to Peskov, the EU is demanding that Serbia either pursue EU membership and sever ties with Russia, including joining sanctions, or maintain friendly relations with Russia and abandon EU prospects. He called this policy "extremely wrong" and "misguided."

• Serbia's sovereign choice: Peskov emphasized that every country, including Serbia, makes sovereign choices and should be guided by national interests. He said Moscow has "no doubt" that the Serbs will firmly follow their national interests throughout this complex situation.

• Referendum proposal in Serbia: As reported by TASS, Serbia's Movement of Socialists, led by former Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, has proposed a referendum on the country's accession to the EU. The proposal was made to the ruling coalition partner, the Serbian Progressive Party, on April 2.

• EU demands on Kosovo and sanctions: Vulin said the EU's recent demands—that Serbia align its legislation with EU instructions, recognize the independence of Kosovo, and impose sanctions against Russia—had "added to the attractiveness of our path to the EU," in a sarcastic remark quoted by his press service. He urged negotiators to support the referendum if they believe Serbs would accept such conditions.

• Eurasian unity and traditional values: Speaking at the "Eurasia - Territory of Traditional Values" forum, Peskov said that while each Eurasian people cherishes its own history and values, their roots are closely intertwined. He described Eurasia as a unique region where many peoples have coexisted throughout history.

Perspectives

The Kremlin's perspective, as conveyed through Peskov, frames the EU's approach as antagonistic and contrary to the principle of sovereign equality. Russia presents itself as respecting Serbia's national interests and maintaining friendly ties without imposing conditions.

The EU's perspective is not directly represented in the provided material. However, the EU has historically required candidate countries to align with its foreign policy, including sanctions regimes, and to resolve bilateral disputes—such as Kosovo's status—as part of the accession process.

From the Serbian side, the Movement of Socialists, led by Aleksandar Vulin, is critical of EU demands, arguing that they undermine Serbia's independence and relationship with Russia. Vulin's call for a referendum suggests domestic pressure to clarify public sentiment on EU membership amid these conditions.

Context and Corrections

The reports are based on statements from Russian and Serbian officials and have not been independently verified by other sources. The claim that the EU is demanding Serbia "betray Russia" (as Vulin reportedly told TASS earlier) is a single-source characterization. The EU's formal stance on Serbia's accession is not included in these reports.

All information in this article relies on TASS dispatches. As of this writing, no corroborating or contradicting reports from other outlets have been reviewed.