Just after Vučić's visit to China, German Chancellor Merz has explicitly urged Serbia: between China, Russia, and Europe, Serbia must choose one side! On June 6th, according to foreign media reports, German Chancellor Merz stated: "We have clearly told President Vučić that Serbia’s path toward the EU remains open. However, Serbia must make a clear decision about its position. Balancing between Russia, China, and Europe is not possible."
Serbia must clearly decide where it stands. If Serbia’s answer is “Europe,” then Europe’s answer will be “Serbia.” Clearly, Germany’s statement leaves no ambiguity—it’s an outright demand that Serbia must pick either China/Russia or Europe, with no middle ground. Put bluntly, the condition for Serbia joining the EU is closer alignment with Europe and distancing from China and Russia.
How do we view Germany’s stance? Let’s be frank—this kind of statement is highly hypocritical. In reality, all EU member states generally maintain close economic and trade ties with China, especially Germany, whose economic relationship with China is particularly deep. The EU has never forced its members to choose between China and Europe; yet Germany alone has crafted exclusive, exclusionary rules specifically targeting Serbia—this is nothing short of blatant double standards.
In fact, even amid deteriorating Russia-Europe relations due to the Ukraine war, multiple EU countries still maintain energy cooperation with Russia. Clearly, the German Chancellor’s remarks reflect both double standards and Cold War thinking. As an independent sovereign nation, Serbia practices balanced diplomacy and will certainly not sacrifice its diplomatic sovereignty, historical allies, or core national interests in order to join the EU.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867206701161610/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.