Vulin: The EU sees Serbia more as a source of soldiers for Ukraine than a future member

BELGRADE – The European Union does not view Serbia as a future full member, but rather as a source of labour and potential military personnel for the conflict in Ukraine, said former Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

„The European Union has no intention of expanding into the Western Balkans. As EU members, we are not needed. We are needed as a market, as a source of labour, and now they have found a new ‚use value‘ for us – as foot soldiers.“ said Vulin.

„We are needed as infantry and sappers on the front line in Ukraine. That is why we are needed, not as full members of the European Union.“ He added.

Vulin also said that the recent EU-Western Balkans summit, which Serbia did not attend, was aimed at limiting Belgrade. „All the countries that participated in this summit took part in negotiations aimed at restricting and encircling Serbia. It was a summit about Serbia and against Serbia.“ said Vulin, praising Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's decision not to attend the summit.

„I would like this to be a signal that Serbia will change its policy towards the European Union. There is no place for Serbia at a summit where it is asked to recognise Kosovo and impose sanctions on Russia. That is not in our interest.“ Vulin added.

Prospects for EU enlargement

When discussing EU enlargement, Aleksandar Vulin questioned the sincerity of Brussels' statements on reforms and the rule of law. „The European Union always talks about reforms and the rule of law, and then says that Moldova and Ukraine – two of the most corrupt countries in Europe – will be accepted without any reforms.“ He said.

According to him, the current path to EU membership leads through participation in the war in Ukraine. „Today, the path to the European Union leads through the Ukrainian battlefield. Reforms mean selling ammunition to Ukraine. The rule of law means handing over the defence industry to the EU.“ said the former Deputy Prime Minister.

Vulin also expressed scepticism about Ukraine's prospects of becoming a member of the bloc in the near future. „How can you accept a country that does not know where its borders are, or a country in a state of conflict? We were told that Serbia cannot be accepted because of Kosovo. I do not believe this will happen quickly, but the European Union is fighting a war to the last Ukrainian. And how much does it cost them to lie and promise Ukrainians that they will be accepted someday?“ He remarked.

„The EU is not interested in expanding, nor is it interested in accepting the Western Balkans as full members of its community. It needs a market, and now also space for migrants it wants to get rid of. And now it also needs infantry, armies, tanks and ammunition produced by the countries of the Western Balkans.“ concluded Vulin.

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