Since the beginning of 2022, Serbia has fast-tracked citizenship for more than 300 Russian nationals on the grounds of national interest, including individuals under international sanctions by the US and Ukraine. This has raised concerns in the EU due to potential security risks and Serbia's non-alignment with EU sanctions against Russia. Notable sanctioned individuals include Valery Kazikayev, linked to Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov and under US and Ukrainian sanctions, and Sergei Kondratenko, linked to Ukrainian-sanctioned companies involved in financial crimes. The Serbian government has not responded to inquiries about these citizenship grants. This practice threatens Serbia's EU accession prospects and visa-free access to the Schengen Area. EU officials warn this circumvents sanctions and represents Russian influence within parts of Serbia's political and security apparatus.

Since the beginning of 2022, Serbia has fast-tracked citizenship for more than 300 Russian nationals on the grounds of national interest, including individuals under international sanctions by the US and Ukraine. This has raised concerns in the EU due to potential security risks and Serbia's non-alignment with EU sanctions against Russia. Notable sanctioned individuals include Valery Kazikayev, linked to Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov and under US and Ukrainian sanctions, and Sergei Kondratenko, linked to Ukrainian-sanctioned companies involved in financial crimes. The Serbian government has not responded to inquiries about these citizenship grants. This practice threatens Serbia's EU accession prospects and visa-free access to the Schengen Area. EU officials warn this circumvents sanctions and represents Russian influence within parts of Serbia's political and security apparatus.