# Serbia, the conflicted EU candidate

https://mins.news/en/item/51708

- DW, 2026-09-09 16:50 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.dw.com/en/serbia-the-conflicted-eu-candidate/a-79203774?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

> Serbia’s EU accession has been stalled for years. The state-supported Belgrade funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, held with military honors and government participation, has intensified criticism of the country’s democratic backsliding, refusal to join EU sanctions on Russia and strained ties with Kosovo. Analysts say Brussels has given President Aleksandar Vucic too much room to avoid reforms.

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