Many Serbs say that the heart belongs to Russia but the brain to Europe.

- It is a double feeling among the Serbs.

You hear those who compare the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the intervention of NATO in the former Yugoslavia in 1999. It is an invasion carried out without permission from the UN Security Council, says Stefan Vladisaljev, security policy expert focusing on Eastern Europe and China.

Serbian President Alexandar Vucic has implemented several reforms to allow Serbia to be adopted as a member of the EU.

The official negotiations between Serbia and the EU on a Serbian EU membership began in Brussels in 2014. As recently as January 2022, a referendum was held in the country on constitutional changes as part of enabling Serbia to become part of the EU.

Putin and protectors

At the same time, many Serbs see Russia as a brother nation and Vladimir Putin as a protector.

Serbia is dependent on Russia for energy supply and support in the burning Kosovo issue.

Another aggravating circumstance, in the election between the EU and Russia, is Serbia's infected relationship with NATO after the airstrikes against, among others, Belgrade in the 1990s, in which many civilians died, for example in the bombing of Serbia's radio and television headquarters, where 16 people, however, in NATO airstrikes during the Kosovo war. 

Serbia has backed other UN countries and condemns the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, Serbia has still not imposed sanctions on Russia such as the EU and the US.

A decision praised by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"We believe that they will continue to make wise decisions in this situation," Sergey Lavrov said in a video interview with Serbian journalists, according to the AP.

"The public is divided"

According to Stefan Vladisaljev, the biggest challenge for Serbia's leaders will be to maintain good relations with Russia while maintaining its candidacy for the EU.

Although many Serbs are opposed to the war in Ukraine, Russia is seen as an important partner by the majority of the population.

- The general public is divided, just like Serbia's official stance, on the issue of what is happening in Ukraine.

If sanctions against Russia continue at international level, I believe Serbia will be forced to make a choice.

It will be a difficult choice but it must be made, says Stefan Vladisaljev