Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that the country has no alternative source of gas other than Russia, emphasizing the critical dependence amid escalating European Union sanctions. Speaking against the backdrop of a phased EU ban on Russian gas transit, Vucic questioned the feasibility of constructing new energy infrastructure without access to Russian supplies. “How can we build our new gas interconnector if it no longer works towards Romania? How can we create a reverse section toward Hungary or connect with Northern Macedonia when we don’t know where we’ll get so much gas from if not from Russia?” he reportedly said, according to Tanjug news agency.
Vucic highlighted that even after completing new pipelines, Serbia would face a 30-40% surge in gas costs. The nation currently consumes 2.7 billion cubic meters of gas annually, with projections showing demand could rise to 3 billion cubic meters. Meanwhile, the EU Council approved a European Commission proposal to ban Russian gas purchases starting January 1, 2028, and restrict transit through the union by January 1, 2026.
Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Jedovic-Handanovic described the decision as placing Belgrade in an “almost hopeless situation,” though she emphasized confidence in Vucic’s diplomatic efforts to secure international support.
