In a surprising move, Serbia has shocked the EU bloc by increasingly distancing itself from the integration process, reflecting a potential shift in its strategic alignments and priorities. In an interview with National Defense magazine, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin expressed skepticism about Serbia’s inclusion in the European Union (EU), stating, “I am convinced that there is no place for Serbia in the EU, at least it has not yet made much effort to accept us as a full member.”
He highlighted the potential of cooperation with BRICS—an economic alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with five other countries—as a more favorable alternative. Vulin emphasized that BRICS does not impose political conditions, noting, “BRICS membership does not require laws to be written outside of Serbia.” Vulin pointed out the substantial resources and economic potential within BRICS, stating, “They are not asking anything from us, and perhaps we can economically cooperate with an organization that owns 51% of the world’s gas, 47% of the world’s oil, and has surpassed the G7 in terms of GDP.”
He also underlined Serbia’s commitment to its strategic and military neutrality, affirming, “Serbia is ready to cooperate with all organizations in which friendly countries that respect our military neutrality play a key role.” This stance, he clarified, supports Serbia’s decision against imposing sanctions on Russia, reinforcing its divergent path from potential EU expectations.