Serbia between East and West: ontological security, vicarious identity and the problem of sanctions against Russia

Why did Serbia not impose sanctions against Russia following its aggression on Ukraine in February 2022? As a state seeking membership of the European Union (EU), Serbia's reluctance to join the sanction regime is puzzling. This paper draws from the ontological security literature to show how Serbia, as a political community, is divided between East and West, that is, between a vicarious attachment to Moscow and a relationship with Brussels driven primarily by the prospect of joining the benefits of membership of the EU. The problem of sanctions brought to the fore the conflicted identity of Serbia, showing how Belgrade's hedging in foreign policy reflects not only an attempt to extract concessions and advantages from both partners - the EU and Russia - but more fundamentally its efforts to come to terms with its liminal, ontologically insecure position within the international system.

Automated summary

This paper examines why Serbia did not impose sanctions on Russia. The author argues that Serbia is divided between its attachment to Russia and its desire to join the EU. Serbia's hedging in foreign policy reflects its ontological insecurity within the international system.