Serbia defies Brussels: Belgrade rejects EU demands to silence Russian media

Serbian Minister of Information and Telecommunications Boris Bratina has firmly rejected European Union calls to block Russian state-backed media outlets RT Balkan and Sputnik, operating in Serbia, describing the demands as outright censorship rather than legitimate protection against disinformation.

In a pointed interview with RT Balkan, Bratina argued that such measures represent a troubling return to authoritarian control over information, disguised under the banner of safeguarding democratic discourse.

Bratina, widely regarded as one of President Aleksandar Vučić’s closest allies, has long been known for his staunch anti-EU and pro-Russian views. His public record includes dramatic gestures, such as burning an EU flag during a 2009 rally in Belgrade while chanting in support of closer ties with Russia. More recently, in April 2026, he drew criticism for suggesting that police might use lethal force against student protesters. Despite this controversial profile, or perhaps because of it, Bratina has emerged as a vocal defender of allowing Russian media to operate freely within Serbian borders.

Bratina’s bold defence of “media pluralism”

“We thought censorship had long disappeared, but now it is appearing under a new name, ‘protection from disinformation,’” Bratina told RT Balkan. He questioned the selective application of such standards, asking why outlets like Deutsche Welle or USA Today, which he characterized as promoting one-sided narratives, are not similarly scrutinized. In his view, Serbia functions as an “oasis of media freedom,” where voices from across the globe coexist, serving as the best antidote to misinformation.

The minister emphasized that demands for censorship are fundamentally unacceptable. He contended that the West struggles with critical perspectives that challenge its policies. “European propaganda is acceptable, but not a critical view of EU policy,” Bratina asserted. He went further, suggesting that the strong European reaction to Russian media should be taken as a compliment. According to him, the EU fears these outlets precisely because they deliver content grounded in facts and accurate information, offering direct, authentic reporting that stands out in a crowded media landscape. “You hinder others because you bring the truth,” he added, praising RT’s programming for its objectivity and unfiltered access to events.

This stance reflects deeper geopolitical tensions. Serbia has refused to align fully with EU sanctions against Russia, particularly those imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the country has become a notable exception in Europe, allowing Russian media to thrive where it has been heavily restricted elsewhere. Bratina’s comments underscore Belgrade’s determination to maintain strategic autonomy in its information space, even as it pursues EU membership negotiations.

Russian media’s footprint and influence in Serbia

RT Balkan and Sputnik Srbija serve as the Kremlin’s primary soft-power instruments in the Western Balkans. Operating freely in the Serbian language, these outlets actively shape public discourse by promoting pro-Russian viewpoints, questioning the value of Euro-Atlantic integration, and amplifying nationalist sentiments, including elements of the “Serbian World” ideology. Their presence has allowed them to build close ties with local actors, occasionally undermining trust in international institutions and election monitoring processes.

RT itself traces its origins to 2005 in Moscow, evolving into a global network spanning television, websites, and social media in multiple languages. RT Balkan launched on 15 November, 2022, as an online platform promising an alternative perspective on regional and international affairs. Its leadership has expressed ambitions to expand into full television broadcasting. In an early interview, then-editor-in-chief Jelena Milincic highlighted the long-standing invitation to establish a Russian station in Serbia, noting that the outlet is formally registered locally despite foreign funding. RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan has been explicit about the emotional and strategic importance of the Balkan expansion, famously stating, “Brothers, watch RT,” in Serbian.

The EU’s approach stands in sharp contrast. Brussels has enacted sanctions targeting more than 20 Russian media outlets.

Through successive sanctions packages under Council Regulation 833/2014, the EU has imposed broadcasting bans, domain blocks, and funding prohibitions on numerous Russian state-affiliated media, including RT and Sputnik. These measures target what Brussels views as systematic disinformation and propaganda, particularly related to the war in Ukraine. Enforcement involves member states blocking access across various platforms and addressing “mirror sites” designed to evade restrictions. However, implementation varies across the Union, with some countries facing challenges in fully containing the flow of sanctioned content.

Serbia’s refusal to comply highlights the limits of EU influence over candidate countries that maintain strong historical and cultural ties with Russia. While critics argue that RT and Sputnik function as tools of Kremlin influence, Serbian officials like Bratina frame their continued operation as a principled stand for free speech and media diversity. This position allows alternative narratives to reach Serbian audiences unfiltered, potentially complicating the country’s path toward deeper European integration.

Bratina’s unyielding rhetoric suggests that, for now, Belgrade intends to keep its doors open to Russian media, even as pressure from Brussels intensifies.

Sources: BGNES, Consilium of the EU Sanctions page, RSF.org

Serbian authorities escalate crackdown on independent journalism and critical voices

Caption: Serbian Information Minister Boris Bratina publicly issued death threats against students and justified the use of violence against them. He stated, “Students are not aware that law enforcement has the right to beat and kill them.” BGNES/Personal profile of the Minister of Information