Congressman Wilson: Serbia should stop threats against Kosovo and disengage from Moscow

US Congressman Joe Wilson has called for Serbia to end its dependence on Russian energy, distance itself from Russia, China and Iran, and fully harmonize its policy with Western institutions if it wants to become part of the European Union and NATO.

In an interview with Radio Free Europe's Balkan Service, Wilson reaffirmed his support for Kosovo's independence, while sharply criticizing Belgrade for its ties with Moscow and for what he described as ongoing threats against Kosovo.

According to him, Serbia continues to be under the great influence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing the fact that it still imports oil and gas from Russia, while the Serbian state oil company NIS is owned by the Russian company Gazprom Neft.

"Unfortunately, Serbia continues to buy oil and gas from Putin. There is also a huge influence of the Chinese Communist Party in strategic sectors, while ties with the Iranian regime are unacceptable. Serbia should be part of the Western world and not dictatorships," Wilson said.

He added that Serbia should follow the example of other countries in the region, which according to him have made important steps towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

"I have visited Slovenia and Kosovo and seen their progress. I hope that Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia will also follow the same path. Kosovo's independence is very important and the threats coming from Serbia have no place in the 21st century," he said.

Criticism of Serbia's energy policy

Wilson said that the negotiations Serbia is conducting to reduce its dependence on Russian oil are not enough and that Belgrade must take immediate steps.

"Negotiations are not enough. Serbia does not need to wait for anyone. It must immediately stop buying energy from Russia, because this is the way to not finance Putin's war in Ukraine," he declared.

According to the American congressman, this is not just a Serbian issue, but part of a global effort to isolate Russia economically.

Calls for the relocation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly from Belgrade

Wilson also spoke about the resolution he has sponsored in the US Congress, which calls for the 2027 Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Charleston, South Carolina, and not in Belgrade.

He said that the main objective is to organize the session in the United States, but added that concerns about Belgrade's choice are related to the orientation of Serbia's foreign policy.

"This is not an issue against Serbia, but an issue in favor of holding the session in the US. However, I am concerned about Russian, Chinese and Iranian influence in Serbia," Wilson said.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly announced that the American delegation had previously announced that Charleston could not host the 2027 session, which led to Belgrade being selected according to the organization's procedures.

However, Wilson said that the logistical problems that had hindered the organization in the US have now been resolved and that Charleston is fully prepared to host this international event.

He added that, if the 2027 session is held in the US, Belgrade could host the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly a year later, in 2028.

"Serbia must choose the side of history"

At the end of the interview, Wilson said that Serbia's future lies in the European Union and NATO, but only if the country breaks away from the influence of Russia, China, and Iran.

"The people of Serbia must decide their future freely and democratically. I want Serbia to be on the winning side of history, on the side of freedom and democracy, not totalitarianism," the American congressman declared.

He reiterated his support for Kosovo, assessing that its independence is a reality that must be respected and that stability in the Balkans requires abandoning confrontational policies and approaching Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The GeoPost