Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reiterated Serbia's firm support for the One-China principle during a visit to Nis on December 12, 2025. He affirmed that the Taiwan question is an internal affair for China, underscoring Serbia's consistent stance and highlighting robust bilateral economic cooperation.
Serbia faces a deepening energy crisis as US sanctions on Russian-owned NIS have halted crude oil imports, leading to the shutdown of its sole refinery. President Vučić is seeking alternative oil supplies from neighboring countries like Bulgaria and Romania and warns of potential secondary sanctions on the banking sector.
Serbia's bid to join the European Union faces continued stagnation as member states fail to reach a consensus on opening new negotiation chapters by year-end. Key obstacles include insufficient progress on rule of law, normalization of relations with Kosovo, and alignment with EU foreign policy.
Coordinated bot attacks in November 2025 targeted Instagram profiles of Serbia's 'Students in Blockade' movement and North Macedonian independent media outlet Sloboden Pechat. The sophisticated attacks involved a massive influx of fake followers and bot comments, aiming to trigger platform shutdowns or 'shadow bans' and silence critical voices.
Serbian runner Elzan Bibic made history at the 6th Belgrade Half Marathon on November 23, 2025, winning the race and setting a new national record with an impressive time of 61:47. This performance marks the first time a Serbian athlete has broken the 62-minute barrier in the half marathon.
UCLA assistant coach Nemanja 'Yogi' Jovanovic has been named an assistant coach for the Serbian Men's Basketball National Team for the next three seasons. He will serve under head coach Dusan Alimpijevic, contributing to FIBA competitions including the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while continuing his duties with UCLA.
Serbia's Security Information Agency (BIA) is set to receive a budget of nearly 89 million euros for 2026, marking a significant increase. This comes amidst reported intelligence failures in Kosovo and a rise in espionage-related arrests, with a focus on enhancing technological and operational capacities.
The Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade, Serbia, recently hosted a significant spiritual event on November 14, 2025, celebrating the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian. The gathering, led by Patriarch Porfirije, honored healthcare professionals and emphasized the spiritual dimension of service, drawing numerous clergy, medical personnel, and faithful.
Thousands of protesters in Belgrade formed a human shield around the former Yugoslav Army General Staff complex, opposing its redevelopment into a luxury compound by Jared Kushner's Affinity Global Development. The site, damaged in the 1999 NATO bombing, is considered a cultural monument, sparking concerns over historical preservation and alleged corruption.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić in Kyiv on November 10, 2025. Discussions focused on European integration, intergovernmental cooperation, regional security, and the issue of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The visit marked the first by a senior Serbian official to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.
The European Commission's 2025 Progress Report on Serbia has adopted a significantly harsher tone, citing widespread corruption, a severe lack of accountability, and notable backsliding in freedom of expression. The report underscores a deepening polarization in Serbian society and a slowdown in crucial reforms, impacting the country's EU accession path.
Serbia's Ministry of Mining and Energy has announced that over 170,000 households will receive reduced electricity bills during the upcoming heating season, a significant increase from previous years. The initiative targets energy-vulnerable citizens and pensioners, offering various discounts and simplified application processes.
Serbian startups are set to present their latest innovations at Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 10-13. Organized with support from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, a significant delegation will feature on a dedicated 'Serbian Island' and National Stand, highlighting the country's rapidly growing tech ecosystem.
The World Bank forecasts Serbia's economic growth at 2.8% for 2025, a revision from earlier projections. The institution indicates that this growth rate could double in future years if Serbia implements key structural reforms focused on governance, human capital, and productivity.
Serbia's Ministry of Mining and Energy has launched a public consultation on a new mining law. The proposed legislation aims to harmonize with EU regulations on critical raw materials, sustainable development, and the circular economy, with the consultation open until November 11, 2025.
A bus transporting factory workers overturned on a regional road near Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, on Friday, October 17, 2025. The accident resulted in three fatalities and 35 injured individuals, with the bus driver detained as investigations commence.
Serbian authorities have arrested 11 individuals suspected of vandalizing Jewish and Muslim sites in Paris and Berlin between April and September 2025. The suspects, all Serbian nationals, are believed to have acted under the direction of a foreign intelligence service, with a 12th alleged organizer still at large. Incidents included green paint on the Shoah Memorial and synagogues, and pig heads at mosques.
Serbia is actively developing contingency plans to safeguard its oil supply as potential US sanctions on the Russian-controlled NIS oil company draw closer. The measures include exploring alternative import routes and increasing reserves to ensure energy stability for the nation.
A boat carrying 10 Chinese nationals and one Serbian citizen capsized on the Danube River near Backa Palanka, Serbia. One Chinese national has been confirmed dead, and nine Chinese nationals were rescued. The Serbian operator is reported missing, with authorities investigating suspected illegal border crossing.
Serbia is nearing the complete eradication of rabies in wild animals, a significant public health achievement following over a decade of intensive, EU-backed oral vaccination campaigns. Since 2010, these efforts have drastically reduced rabies cases, with the last reported instance in wild animals occurring in 2018, marking a major milestone in the country's fight against the deadly zoonotic disease.
