No good: EU demands from Balkan countries to cancel visa-free travel for Russians
Brussels is putting pressure on Bosnia and Herzegovina to cancel the visa-free regime with Russia, Izvestia found out. The Republika Srpska entity opposes this. The European Commission confirmed that in order to join the EU, candidate countries must follow the union's foreign policy, and maintaining a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation is incompatible with this. For now, Russian citizens can also freely enter Serbia and Montenegro. Belgrade hopes to maintain a visa-free regime with Moscow, while Podgorica is already considering tougher entry for Russian citizens. This will cause serious damage to the local economy, experts say. About the EU's anti—Russian policy in the Balkans - in the Izvestia article.
EU requires BiH to introduce visas for Russians
The European Union is putting pressure on Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce visas for Russians, the Russian Embassy in Sarajevo told Izvestia.
— During the process of European integration of BiH, there is a politicized pressure from Brussels on local authorities demanding the waiver of a visa-free regime with Russia in order to comply with the so-called European standards. We believe that such a step does not meet the goals of developing constructive relations between the peoples of our countries," the Russian diplomatic mission noted.
Izvestia also sent a request to the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Moscow. Currently, Russian citizens can stay in BiH for no more than 30 days within 60 days, starting from the date of their first entry. Such conditions are valid on the basis of the interstate agreement of 2013.
View from Trebevic mountain to Sarajevo city
Sarajevo applied to join the EU back in 2016, but the country was granted candidate status only in 2022. Negotiations began two years later, but they are progressing slowly. Foreign policy is one of the problematic areas, since Bosnia and Herzegovina not only maintains a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation, but also refuses sanctions against Moscow.
The European Commission told Izvestia that "within the framework of cooperation and commitment to the European Union, partners are expected to fully comply with all EU decisions, including visa policy."
— Maintaining a visa-free regime with Russia is incompatible with EU membership. A candidate country cannot have one foot in Moscow and the other in Brussels. Integration into the EU means a clear geopolitical choice, and this choice must be made unequivocally," Tomasz Zdechowski, an MEP from the leading European People's Party, told Izvestia.
Brussels uses the prospect of joining the EU as its main lever of pressure. The rejection of European demands leads to a delay in negotiations. In addition, the European Commission does not allocate funds to BiH provided for in the "growth plan for the Balkans". There should be a clear signal: follow the EU requirements and there will be money.
The Russian Embassy in Sarajevo stressed that Moscow would respond in the event of a radical change in the visa policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
—Bosnia and Herzegovina has the sovereign right to determine its foreign policy priorities in accordance with the current system of coordinating positions between three equal state—forming nations and two entities," the diplomatic mission said. — We are closely monitoring the situation in this area and, naturally, in case of radical changes, we will respond accordingly.
Tourists at the City Hall in Sarajevo
The Republika Srpska (entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) remains the main opponent of severing ties with Russia. Its long-term leader Milorad Dodik has repeatedly stated that he will not allow the imposition of sanctions against Russia. This is largely the reason why he was prosecuted in BiH, and the authorities in Sarajevo even tried to arrest him. By the verdict of the court, the politician was removed from the post of President of the Republic of Moldova, and early elections will be held in the entity in November. Despite this, Banja Luka will not allow a break in the visa-free regime with Russia, Srdjan Mazalica, a member of parliament from the entity, stressed in an interview with Izvestia.
According to the statistical agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1.93 million foreigners visited the country in 2024, and the share of Russians does not exceed 1-2%. The possible cancellation of visa-free travel will be a problem mainly for our citizens living in neighboring Serbia and Montenegro and coming to BiH for 2-3 days, the Russian Embassy in Sarajevo clarified. At the same time, the country has a natural potential that would be interesting to Russian tourists.
Will Montenegro and Serbia cancel visa-free travel with Russia
Montenegro, neighboring BiH, is a destination in demand by Russian tourists. In the first eight months of 2025, more than 123 thousand Russians visited the country, which is 11% of the total incoming flow.
However, Podgorica has moved further along the path of European integration than all other Western Balkan countries. As previously reported by Izvestia, the country expects to join the EU by 2028. To do this, the authorities of the republic strive to comply with the visa policy of the association. According to President Yakov Milatovich, Montenegro plans to introduce visas for Russian citizens, although he did not specify the exact dates. At the same time, he admitted that he was trying to postpone this issue, worrying about the influx of Russian capital into the country and the future of the tourism sector.
Vacationers on the beach in Petrovac in Montenegro
The other day, the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry stressed that the authorities are not going to introduce visas for Russians yet, mentioning the need to take into account European standards. This demonstrates that Podgorica, in fact, does not want to blindly follow EU policy, being careful in public statements.
Consultations are currently underway with relevant authorities and international partners, in particular the EU, Nada Lakovich, a member of parliament from the ruling Europe Now party, told Izvestia.
— Any future changes to Montenegro's visa policy will be made in accordance with EU standards, as part of the country's obligations during the accession process. With regard to Russia, such decisions are being considered through institutional procedures, consultations are being held with relevant authorities and international partners, in particular the European Union," Lakovich said.
Tourists at the Church of the Virgin on the Reef near the town of Perast in Montenegro
Oleg Bondarenko, a Balkanist and director of the Progressive Policy Foundation, told Izvestia that Montenegro is the closest to introducing a visa regime for Russian citizens.
— It is quite possible that this will happen next year from July 1 or October 1. Probably after the end of the holiday season, the expert believes.
At the same time, he sees no prerequisites for BiH, as well as Serbia, to take such a step. The latter is home to a large number of Russians, who bring profits to the Serbian economy: from the point of view of tourism, the Balkan republic also earns very well. In addition, Belgrade remains the only city in Europe with direct flights from Moscow. Serbian Ambassador to Russia Momcilo Babic also previously told Izvestia about Belgrade's intention to maintain a visa-free regime with Russia.
Monument to the Victor in Kamelegdan fortress in Belgrade
RIAC Program Manager Milan Lazovich draws attention to the fact that the introduction of a visa regime for Russian citizens will entail a mirror response. This will create additional obstacles for Serbian citizens working in Russia.
Meanwhile, the process of distancing itself from the EU is gaining momentum in the country, and accession negotiations are slowing down. Earlier, Izvestia wrote that Germany and the United Kingdom want to remove politicians from the government who advocate friendly relations with Russia, and demand that Serbia stop direct flights and introduce a visa regime for Russians.
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