Serbia's president doubts Balkan states will be able to join EU before Ukraine

Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, said on Thursday, 16 May, that he is not sure that Western Balkan states will be able to join the European Union ahead of Ukraine.

As reported by N1 Info, Vučić said that he was not sure that Western Balkan states would be able to join the EU ahead of Ukraine.

"Whether we join the EU alongside Ukraine is a whole other issue. You have your own opinion, but reason tells me I’m right," Vučić said during a EU-Western Balkans summit.

"Maybe the EU is that popular in your countries, but in mine it isn’t, just like we’re not popular even though we’re the largest part of this region," Vučić also said, adding, however, that European integration was important for Serbia.

When talking about the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans during a panel on the current situation, the future, and the EU growth plan, Vučić said that there is great enthusiasm around the plan and that the change in the EU’s approach to the Balkans has opened up a lot of great opportunities.

Ana Brnabić, Serbia’s former prime minister, has said that European Union membership is the only path toward a sustainable and flourishing future for her country.

Serbia, which has traditionally been seen as Russia’s ally in the Balkans, has condemned Russia’s invasion in Ukraine at the UN and other international arenas, but refused to adopt international sanctions against Russia.

Since 2022, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three times during international events; the presidents’ most recent meeting occurred during the Ukraine–Balkans summit in Tirana, Albania.