Serbia is diversifying its energy supply and reducing its dependence on Russia, and is already in talks to purchase natural gas through the European Union's (EU) joint procurement mechanism, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said today in an interview with Reuters.
The agency notes that Serbia, a Balkan country that wants to join the EU, is one of the few remaining buyers of Russian natural gas in Europe – more than 80 percent of its deliveries come from there.
Reuters writes that, however, the EU is pressuring Serbia to find alternatives as it tries to reduce the flow of money going into Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war chest" for the war in Ukraine.
Serbia failed to secure a new long-term contract with the Russian company Gazprom last year, and the short-term agreement reached in December expires on March 31st.
Vučić said he understands the EU's policy towards Russian energy, stating: "we have to adapt our energy policy to certain demands and requests."
"We will still have large quantities of Russian gas, but we are taking more and more from the Europeans," Vučić added in an interview at the Presidency in Belgrade, with the EU flag flying.
He said Serbia wants to secure 500 million cubic meters of gas annually, about a fifth of its needs, through the EU's joint gas purchasing initiative, which it joined last year.
Serbia already buys gas from Azerbaijan, via Bulgaria, and construction of a gas pipeline to North Macedonia, which would provide Serbia with access to liquefied natural gas from Greece, is set to begin this year, he said.
The oil pipeline connecting Serbia and neighboring Romania is expected to be completed in 2027.
"This is a great diversification," Vučić said.
Balancing between Russia and the EU
Reuters states that Serbia cherishes historical cultural and religious ties with Russia, and that "Moscow supports Belgrade in opposing the independence of Kosovo, the former, predominantly Albanian, southern province."
Vučić sought to balance relations with the Kremlin and Serbia's candidacy for EU membership.
Such a line is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russian oil company NIS, which operates in Serbia, has come under US sanctions, leading to an expected sale to Hungary's MOL.
Meanwhile, Vučić said he was committed to Serbia's EU accession. He said the economy had improved, as had living standards and debt levels.
"There is no doubt, while I am president, Serbia will be on its European path," he said.
The EU has long demanded that Serbia improve the rule of law, media freedom, and eradicate organized crime and corruption if it wants to join.
Critics argue that recent reforms to the judicial system would reduce its independence, which would complicate Serbia's path to the EU.
Vučić said that the authorities are ready to "review" the controversial set of judicial laws with European institutions.
The search for heritage
Vučić, a populist, suffered a political blow when the roof of a train station in Novi Sad collapsed in 2024, killing 16 people. The disaster sparked protests across the country, with demands for an end to corruption and early elections, according to a Reuters article.
Vučić admitted that corruption is a problem in Serbia and that he is "dissatisfied" with efforts to eradicate it.
"It's about corruption in our state institutions... including politicians," he said.
However, he dismissed the demonstrations as a conspiracy by international security services - including those from neighboring Croatia, Albania and Kosovo - to overthrow the government, without providing evidence.
Officials from those countries denied such accusations.
Vučić's second and final term expires in 2027. Amid street protests, he said he would call early elections this year.
He said he was unsure what he would do next, but did not rule out a return to party politics or a run for prime minister.
"I would like to be less involved in politics or not at all, but taking care of my legacy may require some kind of engagement - we'll see," the Serbian president said.
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