SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday that the EU’s most effective path to enlargement would be to admit all Western Balkan countries as full members simultaneously.

He argued that partial accession would leave unresolved regional disputes and undermine long-term stability.

Speaking at a forum in Belgrade, Vucic said he will travel to Brussels for meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, where he plans to present his proposal.

“The best option for the EU would be to admit all the Western Balkan countries as full members at the same time,” said Vucic. “If you admit two or three countries in the region, what will happen to the others? How will the open questions be resolved? I think mutual admission is the best solution and would contribute to regional stability.”

Vucic reiterated that Serbia “values peace and stability above all” and stressed it would not enter any conflict during his mandate, which ends in 2027.

The Western Balkan region -- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia -- has been engaged in the EU integration process for more than two decades.

While Montenegro and Serbia are formally in accession negotiations, North Macedonia and Albania are awaiting progress after opening talks in 2022.

Bosnia and Herzegovina received candidate status in 2022 but has yet to begin negotiations. Kosovo remains the only country in the region that has not been granted candidate status.

EU officials have repeatedly stated that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the bloc, but internal political divisions and slow reform processes have delayed enlargement momentum.

US sanctions on Serbian refinery

Vucic also commented on the developments surrounding the oil refinery operated by the Serbian Petroleum Industry (NIS), which is expected to cease operations due to US sanctions that are targeting its parent company, Russia’s Gazprom Neft.

“We have three options,” said Vucic. “The first is for the US to lift sanctions, which is a very difficult possibility. The second is for Russia to sell its shares to its partners, which I hope they will do. The last option is for us, as a state, to step in on Jan. 15.”

Vucic warned that Serbia would face “serious difficulties” without the refinery but emphasized that Belgrade is not considering nationalizing NIS.

He said Serbia could purchase the Russian-owned stake if no alternative solution emerges.

US sanctions on Gazprom Neft, subsidiaries

The US Treasury Department announced Jan. 10 new measures to reduce Russia’s energy revenues under G7 commitments. The sanctions targeted Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegas and dozens of their subsidiaries, including NIS.

Following the decision, Serbia requested additional time to implement structural changes demanded by Washington due to the strategic role NIS plays in the country’s energy system. Belgrade ultimately received postponements for nearly a year but now faces a final deadline in mid-January.

Vucic said the government is preparing for all scenarios ahead of his talks in Brussels, adding that the refinery will be raised with EU leaders.