Belgrade’s "Back Door" is open and Moscow is walking right in.
While the rest of the continent tries to hold the line against putin’s regime, Serbia is busy handing out passports to Russians.
A chilling investigation from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) published this June has pulled the curtain back on the operation: in just the first five months of 2026, Russians received "national interest" citizenship at a rate four times higher than every other foreign nationality combined.
It is a deliberate, dangerous loophole. We aren’t talking about everyday citizens looking for a fresh start.
RFE/RL identified recipients linked to sanctioned oligarchs and the Kremlin’s inner circle, people who should be persona non grata.
Thanks to Serbia’s visa-free access to the Schengen Area, these individuals, people who are effectively blacklisted by the democratic world, now have a golden ticket into the heart of Europe.
Belgrade wants the perks of being an EU candidate, but it refuses to play by the rules. You can't claim to be on a "European path" while acting as a revolving door for the Kremlin’s interests.
The EU has been patient, but this "dual-track" strategy is dead. If Serbia wants to sit at the European table, it needs to stop opening the back door for Moscow.
Europe needs to stop being naive. Scrutiny isn't just an option anymore. It is a necessity.
How long is Europe going to let a candidate member undermine Europe’s collective security before they actually hold them accountable?
#Serbia