Serbia refuses to align with new EU sanctions on Russia, Belarus

Serbia is the only European Union candidate country from the Western Balkans that has not aligned with four new EU foreign policy decisions related to Belarus and the situation in Ukraine, while it did support the decision to extend restrictive measures against Myanmar, the EU Council said.

According to the statement, Serbia did not align with Decision (CFSP) 2026/508 of April 23 on additional restrictive measures in response to Russia’s actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, CE Report quotes FENA.

The measures include restrictions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet”, a ban on transactions with 20 additional Russian banks, and a prohibition on the use of the RUBx cryptocurrency and the digital ruble.

Belgrade also did not support Decision (CFSP) 2026/512 of April 23 introducing further restrictions due to Belarus’ involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including an expanded list of goods that could contribute to Belarus’ military and technological enhancement or the development of its defense and security sector.

Serbia also failed to align with Decision (CFSP) 2026/504 of April 23 concerning restrictive measures in response to actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, as well as Decision (CFSP) 2026/501 on restrictive measures related to the situation in Belarus and its involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

All other candidate countries from the Western Balkans — North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina — aligned themselves with the four new EU Council decisions and will ensure that their national policies comply with them, the statement carried by Beta news agency said.

At the same time, all Western Balkan candidate countries, including Serbia, supported Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/927 of April 27 extending restrictive measures in response to the situation in Myanmar/Burma. The EU said it takes note of and welcomes their commitment to aligning national policies with that decision.