Vučić: Not all in Europe want Ukraine and Western Balkans in the EU

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Belgrade, said he does not see a realistic possibility for Serbia to become an EU member in the near future, citing numerous political reasons.

Vučić said he understands Ukraine's wish to open all negotiating clusters with the EU as quickly as possible. He recalled telling Zelenskyy it would be good if Ukraine, Moldova and other countries joined the bloc. Still, he expressed doubt that all European nations genuinely hold a positive view of such enlargement.

Support without illusions

Vučić stressed that Serbia will not stand in the way of Ukraine's EU path and will not demand to be admitted first. He said Ukraine will not face resistance from a small country like Serbia. However, he also said he does not believe there will be a strong voice within the EU pushing to fast-track integration for either country.

Earlier, Vučić had voiced support for Ukraine's EU membership path and expressed hope it could open and close all negotiating clusters. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Vsevolod Chentsov, expects the remaining clusters to open this autumn and considers completing negotiations with the EU by the end of 2027 an ambitious but achievable goal.