Zelensky Visits E3 Leaders While Meloni Skips EU Summit
The EU demanded Serbia choose between Russia, China, and Europe at a Western Balkans summit in Montenegro aimed at reviving the stalled two-decade accession process.
According to Il Giornale, the EU gathering in Tivat brought together German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa to address enlargement toward six Western Balkan partners: Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, the Skopje State, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo.
Chancellor Merz issued the blunt warning directly to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, stating that Serbia must decide where it sees its future and urging Belgrade to stop hesitating between Russia, China, and Europe. The message reflected growing frustration in Western capitals over Serbia’s continued balancing act between Moscow and Brussels.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni did not attend the summit, expressing regret to Montenegrin host President Milatovic for her inability to arrive in time. The Italian government explained that the ceremony celebrating the founding of the Carabinieri force, held for the first time outside Rome in Reggio Calabria, ran significantly longer than anticipated due to the presentation of military and civil valor medals. Among the recipients was Eugenia Pastore, widow of Brigadier Chief Carlo Legrottaglie, who died last year in Brindisi on his final day before retirement while attempting to stop two armed criminals using hostages as human shields.
Despite her physical absence, Meloni remained in contact with the Tivat forum through European Council President Costa, reiterating Italy’s support for Balkans enlargement even as opposition parties in Rome mounted criticism of her non-attendance.
Montenegrin President Milatovic viewed the summit positively, declaring that the EU-Western Balkans meeting demonstrates that enlargement remains a strategic objective for Europe. Von der Leyen acknowledged the need to make the accession process more dynamic after decades of hesitation on Balkans integration, calling Montenegro’s entry as the 28th EU member state by 2028 an achievable objective.
The Commission president framed EU enlargement as a geostrategic imperative and a long-term investment in peace, stability, and security. Her remarks came as Brussels seeks to counter Russian influence in the region, particularly in Serbia, by accelerating membership processes that have been effectively frozen for roughly twenty years.
Ukraine Dossier Takes Center Stage
Von der Leyen also placed the Ukraine situation at the center of discussions, praising President Volodymyr Zelensky for his outreach to Moscow and expressing full support for his proposal of a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Commission president stated that no one desires peace more than the Ukrainian president.
The so-called “Willing” coalition, dormant for weeks, is showing renewed activity. Macron will travel to London for a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Merz in an “E3” format that will also include discussions with Zelensky. A broader summit is scheduled for Paris on July 13-14.
The more structured coalition meeting aims to reignite Brussels’ diplomatic role in the conflict. While Starmer warned of the risk of Russian attack on NATO by 2030, Merz indicated that Europe has the willingness to engage in dialogue, but noted that the Russian leader’s availability remains absent.
The dual focus on Balkans expansion and Ukraine support reflects the EU’s attempt to consolidate its geopolitical position amid competing pressures from Moscow and uncertainty about Washington’s commitment under shifting American administrations.
With information from Il Giornale
