Tragedy lies not only in our failure to comprehend the changes that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall, but also in our continuing inability to recognise the direction in which the world is headed. We drift between global powers while turning a blind eye to the EU – the only natural ally to which we truly belong
On the international stage, Serbia continues to veer from one misstep to another – a course it has followed not just for a year or a decade, but for much longer. Unlike nearly every other European nation, Serbia chose this uncertain path during the disintegration of the former Yugoslav state. We are all too aware – and painfully so – of the high price we have paid since then, and will continue to pay, until we clearly define our place in Europe.
Those who should have recognised the shifting tides of global order with the fall of the Berlin Wall – the end of bipolar geopolitics – either chose not to see, or were unable to comprehend, the magnitude of the moment. But perhaps even more concerning is the fact that we still lack clarity today. Lost in a fog, we continue to wander from one major power to another, neglecting the European Union – the one alliance to which we are bound by history, geography and shared values. Instead, we lag behind our closest neighbours, failing to keep pace with the continent that is our rightful home.
The EU understands the nature of Serbia’s political mindset all too well, but also the character of its leaders over the past four decades. Each has, without exception, played the Moscow card, only to return – belatedly – to Europe. Brussels’ patience and understanding for Serbia have proven remarkably generous, as demonstrated once again by its response to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s presence at the 9th May 2025 military parade in Moscow and his meeting with Vladimir Putin – both carried out despite clear opposition from Brussels.
European integration demands a new political force – the only one capable of leading Serbia away from its compromised course
If Belgrade considers itself the victor in this diplomatic showdown, that may indeed be the case – but only in the short term. Serbia will continue to lag behind the EU, and the long-term cost will be irreparable.
It is no longer viable to attribute Serbia’s internal problems – including the artificial bolstering of the electorate with Russian sentiment – to external influences. This tendency has become a hallmark of Serbian politics and a contributor to the deepening moral, ethical, economic and cultural crisis.
It is not the European Commission in Brussels that decides how Serbia is perceived – every member state has an equal voice, and each is essential in shaping EU decisions. Serbia’s current leadership lacks both the strength and vision required to alter the existing state of affairs, whether domestically, regionally or in its relations with Europe. The policies pursued thus far have been drained of their substance and are no longer capable of generating momentum – let alone rebooting the process of European integration. That process demands a fresh political force, one with the energy and legitimacy to steer Serbia away from a compromised path.
At stake is Serbia’s place in a redefined global order. History has shown that multipolar worlds are rarely kind to smaller nations. Once again, we are faced with a choice. Will Serbia’s leadership choose our own continent – one that has always been, and will remain, one of the pillars of global development and decision-making?
