Moscow Mourns Vucic Loss in Serbia, Risking Another European Ally 6 Months After Orban
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 26
Moscow Mourns Vucic Loss in Serbia, Risking Another European Ally 6 Months After Orban
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 26
Summary
Aleksandar Vucic’s election defeat has left Moscow bracing for the possible loss of one of its closest European partners, just six months after ally Viktor Orban was voted out in Hungary.
Serbia matters to Russia because it buys large volumes of Gazprom gas, refused to join EU sanctions over Ukraine under Vucic, and deepened political, economic and military ties with Moscow.
The Kremlin said it hopes Serbia’s new student-backed leaders will keep relations constructive, while warning that cooperation “takes two to tango” as Vucic moves into opposition.
Student List has pledged no sanctions on Russia, continued military neutrality and no NATO bid, but Russian officials and analysts fear EU pressure could still pull Belgrade closer to Brussels.
For Moscow, Serbia’s political shift adds to wider setbacks in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, reinforcing concern that Russia’s influence in Europe is shrinking.