Serbia, Russia's Trojan Horse in Europe: An Unprecedented Threat to the EU

By Gani Dreshaj

Serbia is playing a dangerous game that could destabilize Europe from within. Under the leadership of Aleksandar Vučić, the country has become a bridgehead for Russian interests, using Moscow's influence to undermine the security of Western countries and hinder the process of European integration.

Recent events are worrying: the arrest of 11 people in Serbia for involvement in acts of sabotage in France and Germany, including placing pig heads in front of mosques in Paris and planning attacks on military bases in Germany, are not random incidents. Investigations show that these acts are part of a broader Russian strategy, using Serbia as a logistical and operational platform.

Reports from international institutions, including CSIS and the Octopus Institute, highlight that Serbia has become a hub for hybrid warfare: disinformation, sabotage, cyberattacks, and other interventions aimed at weakening Western institutions. This situation makes the country a direct risk to European security and a threat to any EU candidate country.

For the European Union, this is no longer a warning: it is a red alert. A candidate country that acts as a Russian Trojan Horse cannot be considered a reliable partner. The future integration of the Western Balkans cannot be influenced by Moscow's covert strategies, and any silence towards Serbia would only serve to legitimize Russian influence in the heart of Europe.

The EU must set clear boundaries: Serbia must choose between genuine European integration or a role as a destabilizing instrument of Russia. Other candidate countries must understand that the path to the EU is not an excuse to play double games that threaten the peace and stability of the continent.

The time for indifference is over. Europe cannot allow a dubious ally to become a platform for Russian influence. Any other action would be a betrayal of the collective security of the European Union.