Von der Leyen demands Serbia join EU sanctions against Russia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on Serbia to join EU sanctions against Russia, stating that without this, Brussels cannot consider Belgrade a “reliable partner,” effectively ruling out the possibility of EU accession.

She made the statement during a press conference while visiting Serbia, Caliber.Az reports via TASS.

“Serbia’s time has come to take concrete steps toward EU accession,” the Commission President said.

“We need to see a higher level of alignment in your foreign policy, including on sanctions against Russia. I congratulate you on reaching 61% alignment with EU foreign policy, but more is needed. We want to consider Serbia a reliable partner,” she noted.

As part of the EU enlargement process, all candidate countries must fully align their foreign policies with Brussels as a precondition for accession.

By Khagan Isayev