Serbia blocks EU accession over Kosovo stance and Russian sanctions, sparking Montenegro sovereignty dispute

People's Party leader Vladimir Gaic said the European Union will never grant Serbia full membership, even if Belgrade recognises Kosovo and imposes sanctions on Russia. He argued the EU wants Serbia to become a mere “ordinary territory” without the rights of a full European state, and that the bloc’s demands – including sanctions on Russia and the shutdown of Russian media – are a key reason accession talks remain stalled. The EU Commission confirmed Serbia had met all technical criteria, but eight member states vetoed progress.

Croatian MEP Tomislav Sokol criticised Serbia for attempts to exert political control over Montenegro, describing the Serbian leadership as a destabilising factor in the Balkans. He said Serbia has responded to Montenegro's sovereign aspirations with threats and intimidation, including a proposal to ban him from entering the country. Sokol reaffirmed Croatia’s support for a sovereign, pro‑European Montenegro within the EU.