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Vučić warns of "painful measures for the state" and links energy policies to the balance between the EU and Russia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced a package of state interventions aimed at curbing rising fuel prices and guaranteeing market supply, linking energy policy to broader geopolitical developments between the European Union and Russia.
After the National Security Council meeting, Vučić warned that the country is entering a period of increased energy and political pressure, stressing that the state will take "painful measures" but will try to protect citizens from the main burden of the crisis. The package includes reducing excise duties on fuel, ensuring reserves and measures to avoid panic in the market.
At the heart of the intervention is the further reduction of taxes on fuel. According to Vučić, the reductions in excise duties total 61%. He stated that without state intervention, the price of diesel would have reached 257 dinars (2.19 euros) per liter, while with the new measures it will be limited to 212 dinars (1.81 euros). Gasoline is expected to increase slightly to 188 dinars (1.60 euros).
The President stressed that the priority is to ensure full supply and keep prices under control, even at the expense of budget revenues. He announced that Serbia currently has 587.5 million cubic meters of natural gas, while oil reserves are sufficient for about 90 days. According to him, the country also has sufficient reserves of other energy and food products to cope with even difficult scenarios.
Vučić acknowledged that the state is giving up an important source of revenue, as fuel excise taxes generate about 2 billion euros per year. In this way, the Government is transferring part of the cost from consumers to the budget, aiming to maintain social stability. The measures are also accompanied by support for farmers and an increase in the threshold for receiving child support.
On the international front, Vučić linked energy stability to the need for a new gas deal with Russia, as the current contract expires on March 31. He stressed that Serbia will seek favorable prices and did not rule out contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling Moscow's continued importance for the country's energy security.
In parallel, he used the energy issue as an instrument of pressure on the European Union. Vučić stated that Serbia would not impose restrictions on fuel purchases, but warned of reciprocal measures if EU countries imposed restrictions on vehicles with Serbian license plates.
His statements also included references to regional tensions, particularly with Croatia, placing current developments in a broader political and historical context. However, he stressed that Serbia will continue to be presented as a factor of stability in the region.
Overall, the Serbian government is trying to cushion the energy shock through strong state intervention, while remaining exposed to international instability and dependent on relations with Russia. This approach increases pressure on public finances and tests Serbia's strategic balance between Brussels and Moscow.
In this context, the energy issue for Serbia is no longer limited to prices, but becomes a key element of social stability, political credibility, and geopolitical positioning.
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