The EU is running out of patience: Serbia must impose Russian sanctions

Two unpleasant messages have been received in Brussels by the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security High Representative Josep Borrell.

The first was a clear message that the EU expects all countries in the region to support sanctions against Russia, and the second was Kosovo Foreign Affairs Minister Donika Grovalla-Schwartz's announcement that the country would submit formal application for membership in the Council of Europe.

As Vuciq himself had admitted, these two topics are so difficult for Serbia that he had called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

So far, Serbia has somehow managed to resist pressure to impose sanctions on Russia, as all other countries have done.

As Croatian medium Jutarni List writes, even though some EU institutions representatives have tried to relativise Serbia's views and show understanding, many member states are indignant by Belgrade's views and are clearly demanding that Serbia finally decide on which side it wants to be.

Sixth package of economic sanctions against Russia

Borrell has thanked yesterday all Western Balkan countries that have supported The EU in their positions regarding Russia. In addition to Serbia, all countries in the region supported sanctions against Russia.

Serbia had voted to the UN for the expulsion of Russia from the Human Rights Council. However, for the EU that is not enough and that they are asking Serbia to support sanctions and certainly not allow them to be overlooked.

In his speeches, Vuciq tried to explain to the public the problems Serbia is facing, the more so that even if it does not impose sanctions on Russia, it could receive oil and gas only through European Union countries, mainly Croatia.

As for Kosovo, the Serbian president believes that with the application for membership in the Council of Europe, Kosovo has violated various obligations, including the Washington Agreement.

On the other hand, Kosovo believes the engagement has been for a year-long mortorium and application for membership in the Council of Europe, then in NATO's Partnership for Peace, where international judicial subjectivity is expected to be strengthened.

The Council of Europe has confirmed that it has accepted Kosovo's official application for membership.