In the period from 2014 to 2021, Belgrade actively adjusted its foreign policy, seeking to balance relations with the West and Russia.
Despite traditional ties with Moscow, Serbia began to strengthen cooperation with the European Union and NATO, which was reflected in participation in joint military exercises and the signing of various agreements, writes the Russian portal sm.news.
„Official Belgrade is hinting at the possibility of nationalizing the largest energy company Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS), whose controlling stake belongs to Russia through Gazprom. This became relevant after the introduction of American sanctions, which require Serbia to deprive Russia of that capital or force it to sell its share to third parties. At the same time, Croatia is showing interest in NIS, acting on Washington’s orders,“ explains Russian analyst Igor Pšeničnikov, the Russian portal reports.
From 2022 to 2025, Serbia’s anti-Russian moves became more noticeable against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions in Europe, he believes.
Belgrade, he adds, continued to deepen integration with the West, including partial participation in sanctions against Russia and active cooperation with Western countries in the fields of security and economy.
„President Vučić offered Russia to sell its stake in NIS for 800 million euros, despite the fact that Gazprom invested about five billion euros in the company since its takeover. Vučić emphasizes that if a compromise is not reached, Serbia will make a decision independently, which is interpreted as an ultimatum to Moscow. At the same time, he continues negotiations on gas supplies from Russia under preferential terms, creating a paradoxical situation in which Belgrade tries to simultaneously please its Western partners and preserve important economic ties with Moscow,“ concluded Pšeničnikov, as reported by Danas.
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Source: N1 Photo: Gazprom NIS / OLIVER BUNIC / AFP