ASSESSMENTS

Serbia Looks West to Weaken Russia's Energy Dominance

Jun 1, 2015 | 09:15 GMT

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic speaks at a EU news conference in November 2014.

(ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

The West is boosting its efforts to counter Russia's energy-fueled influence in the Balkans. During the first week of June, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will visit Washington, where he will reportedly meet with U.S. officials. Vucic's trip follows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's May 15 visit to Serbia, as well as Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic's attendance at the Moscow Victory Day Parade on May 9. Serbia maintains close economic and political ties with Russia, but over the past weeks Serbian policymakers have signaled that Belgrade's energy strategy is evolving. As Russia and the West continue to compete for influence in the Balkans, Serbia's orientation will ultimately hinge upon the European Union's willingness to finance energy and infrastructure projects in the country.

The country needs Western governments to invest in its energy infrastructure....

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