Stalled EU accession talks leave Serbia grappling with rule-of-law and Kosovo hurdles

Serbia's path to EU membership has lost momentum, with the European Union insisting on improvements in the rule of law, media independence, and a resolution of the long-standing dispute with Kosovo, which remains unrecognized by Belgrade. Although Serbia opened 22 of the 35 negotiating chapters, no new chapter has been launched since 2021, and member states failed to agree on opening Cluster 3 in July 2026. The country's refusal to impose sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, coupled with its heavy reliance on Russian gas, has further complicated its alignment with EU foreign and energy policies.

A recent phone call between former President Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin preceded Vucic's resignation to lead the ruling Serbian Progressive Party's list in the October 25 parliamentary election. Despite these political changes, the accession process remains hampered by the same core issues, and Serbia continues to view EU membership as a strategic goal while maintaining ties with Russia and expanding cooperation with China.