Balkan countries between pressure from EU, Russia and internal protests

In early summer 2025, the Balkan countries and their neighbors found themselves at a crossroads of critical political, economic, and social developments. In Belgrade, the European Union is firmly demanding reforms, while Russia and Belgium impose new trade restrictions, and domestic tensions are escalating alongside student and media protests. Meanwhile, in Pristina, a parliamentary impasse is deepening amid political intrigue, and neighboring capitals are registering instances of arms smuggling. In Bosnia, mining projects are gaining momentum and questions of wartime justice are resurfacing, whereas Albania faces a severe shortage of medical services. In the east, Moldova seeks EU support amid disinformation campaigns and threats from Transnistria, and in Bucharest, authorities must urgently address a budgetary shortfall and strengthen energy security. From Sofia to Budapest, civil movements and European institutions are testing the resilience of euro-integration, transparency, and civil liberties. This article examines the most significant events of June 4, 2025, and analyzes their implications for the region’s future.

Serbia

The European Union continues to insist that Serbia’s progress toward membership hinges on implementing all necessary reforms. According to Nova.rs, EU representatives stated on June 4, 2025, that priorities remain strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, and protecting human rights. Without fulfilling these conditions, further steps in accession negotiations are impossible.

Simultaneously, on June 4, 2025, Russia imposed a ban on the import of meat from four Serbian companies, reports N1. Russian authorities officially cited sanitary norms as the reason, but experts do not rule out a political motive against the backdrop of ongoing fraught relations between Belgrade and Moscow.

Alarm also arose following Belgium’s warning that prohibited fungicide residues—specifically, fometanate—were detected in frozen strawberries from Serbia. This report, published by N1 on June 4, 2025, led Belgian authorities to call for the immediate withdrawal of the contaminated shipments from retail outlets. Serbian exporters, however, insist their products fully comply with European standards.

Domestically, the political climate remains tense. On June 4, 2025, President Aleksandar Vučić expanded the list of individuals allegedly involved in an attempted coup, as conveyed by Nova.rs. The updated roster includes members of opposition parties and several civil activists. Critics accuse the government of exploiting the “coup threat” to suppress dissent, while officials insist such measures are necessary to “protect the constitutional order.”

On the same day, Nova.rs published a profile of Slobodan Djinović, owner of the Orion media holding, which recently ceased satellite broadcasts of N1. The article explores potential motivations behind Djinović’s decision, noting that N1’s critical coverage of the authorities may have played a role; Djinović himself, however, claims the shutdown was purely a commercial decision.

Finally, on June 4, 2025, students of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law issued a public statement after a fellow student was attacked on campus grounds, reports Nova.rs. This marked the second such incident in two days, igniting outrage among the student body and prompting demands for enhanced security measures on campus.

Kosovo

In Kosovo, difficulties persist in constituting the parliament: nearly four months after the elections, deputies once again attempted to assemble a quorum, according to Koha.net on June 4, 2025. This was already the 26th attempt, and the lack of votes stems partly from opposition factions blocking certain appointments in the government.

Meanwhile, on June 4, 2025, former Kosovar MP Gjoko Bogujevci stated that some parliamentary deputies are willing to vote secretly for the appointment of Albin Hadžiu as General Prosecutor, writes Koha.net. This announcement has heightened political tensions, as Hadžiu did not secure sufficient support in the first round of voting.

Opposition leader Lutfi Basha of the Democratic Party of Kosovo commented on the situation on June 4, 2025, noting that his faction blocked the parliament “for key public reasons,” while other opposition groups cite ongoing debates over Hadžiu’s candidacy as their justification. This was reported by Koha.net on June 4.

In neighboring Croatia on June 4, 2025, police found 11 automatic rifles and ammunition in a vehicle with Kosovar license plates, according to N1. The arrest occurred during a routine checkpoint on the A3 motorway. Croatian authorities handed the suspect over to Kosovar law enforcement, where he faces charges of weapons smuggling.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia’s economic sector, a significant discovery was announced on June 4, 2025: Canadian mining company Terra Balcanica revealed rich deposits of silver and antimony in the Čumavići (Trebinje) area, as well as notable reserves of lead, zinc, and gold, reports SEEnews. Preliminary analyses indicate high concentrations of metallic ores, potentially attracting additional investment to the country’s mining industry.

At the same time in Sarajevo, a two-day expert conference on crisis management commenced under the auspices of the Slovak Embassy and the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, informs N1 BiH on June 4, 2025. More than 100 specialists from various government bodies and non-governmental organizations are participating, discussing coordination among state institutions in the face of natural disasters and security threats.

Meanwhile, Balkan Insight published on June 4, 2025, an article about human rights organizations’ joint efforts to secure recognition and compensation for the suffering of Roma during the Bosnian war (1992–1995). The authors note that, despite the passage of decades, many victims have still not received official acknowledgment, and the processes of restitution and compensation for Roma communities continue at a very slow pace.

Albania

An Eurostat study cited by Euronews on June 4, 2025, showed that over 9 % of Albania’s population cannot afford necessary medical care due to high costs. Consequently, Albania, alongside Greece, ranks among European countries with the largest share of residents experiencing unmet healthcare needs. The study’s authors emphasize that this issue is particularly acute in rural areas, where medical facilities and professionals are most scarce.

Moldova

On June 4, 2025, Brussels hosted the 9th Association Council meeting between the EU and the Republic of Moldova, reports the official Consilium.europa.eu website. The agenda focused on the allocation of macro-financial assistance and measures to strengthen the rule of law. EU representatives confirmed their intention to continue supporting reforms in Chisinau but urged Moldovan authorities to accelerate judicial and anti-corruption reforms.

An Euronews investigation on June 4, 2025, exposed a disinformation campaign against Moldova: several Telegram channels circulated fake videos bearing the Euronews logo that discredited the country, propagating falsehoods about mass AIDS outbreaks and illegal immigration to the EU. The report underscores that this operation aims to undermine public trust in Moldova’s pro-European trajectory.

According to an article published on the Financial Times website and cited by Reuters on Investing.com, on June 4 Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated that Russia plans to increase the number of “peacekeepers” in Transnistria to 10,000 troops. He warned that this move is intended to pressure Moldovan authorities ahead of the September parliamentary elections and could escalate tensions in the country’s east.

Simultaneously, Balkan Insight published on June 4, 2025, an analysis titled “Sandu vs. Moscow: Moldova at a Crossroads,” noting the intensification of the confrontation between pro-Russian factions and the pro-Western establishment. In particular, the article reports protests in Gagauzia following the arrest of its regional leader, which may pose a serious challenge to President Maia Sandu and her EU integration agenda.

Romania

On June 4, 2025, Romanian President Nicușor Dan urged the government to approve a “credible plan” to reduce the budget deficit to an EU-acceptable level by the end of June, according to Reuters. In 2024, Romania’s deficit stood at 9.3 % of GDP—the highest in the European Union. Analysts indicate that 2.5 percentage points of the required reduction must come from increased tax revenues, while the remaining 0.5 percentage points should derive from spending cuts. President Dan remarked, “Without approval of this package by the end of June, we risk losing access to key EU funds and facing a credit-rating downgrade.”

In the economic sphere, SeeNews reported on June 4, 2025, that Romania’s unemployment rate fell to 5.7 % in April 2025, down from 6 % in March. This is the lowest figure since July 2024, indicating a revival in the labor market ahead of the summer season.

Another Reuters story on June 4, 2025, informs that Bucharest and Ankara agreed to expand cooperation in the energy sector. Turkish companies will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Romania and participate in joint offshore wind farm projects in the Black Sea. The anticipated LNG imports are expected to diversify energy supplies and reduce dependence on Russian gas.

Furthermore, Reuters on June 4, 2025, conveyed President Dan’s statement calling on the European Union to bolster cybersecurity measures for critical infrastructure. Speaking at a conference in Bucharest, Dan highlighted the rising number of hacker attacks and advocated for unified European standards and information exchange to mitigate risks.

Finally, following the Bucharest Nine summit on June 4, 2025, countries of Central and Eastern Europe agreed to raise defense spending to 5 % of GDP, reports Reuters. Romania pledged to increase its defense budget by 12 %, reflecting growing concerns over regional security.

Bulgaria

On May 31, 2025 (published June 3, 2025), AP News reported that thousands of Bulgarian nationalists protested in Sofia and other cities against the government’s plans to adopt the euro, demanding a referendum on the issue. Demonstrators—many of them supporters of the “Vazrazhdane” party—sought to preserve national economic sovereignty and expressed concerns about the potential cost of euro adoption. President Rumen Radev called for public consultation but the parliamentary majority dismissed his proposal for a referendum, accusing Radev of “playing into Russian interests.” The protests were peaceful but underscored growing political polarization and euroskeptic sentiment in Bulgaria.

Hungary

On June 4, 2025, the Council of Europe urged Hungarian lawmakers to reject or substantially amend a transparency bill under consideration in the national assembly, reports Reuters. Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the bill’s requirement to disclose information about recipients of foreign funding—including media outlets and NGOs—“poses a threat to civil society’s ability to function, making it nearly impossible.”

Additionally, SeeNews reported on June 4, 2025, that Hungary launched the “Open Season” procedure for the Serbia–Hungary gas pipeline. Operator FGSZ is conducting an auction to reserve capacity of up to 10 billion m³ per year. By the end of 2025, binding contracts are expected, ensuring stable gas supplies from the Balkans and reducing reliance on Russian imports.

Conclusion

During the first days of June 2025, the Balkan region and neighboring states faced a complex array of political, economic, and social challenges. In Serbia, the EU demands accelerated reforms while Russia intensifies trade restrictions. Kosovo remains mired in a parliamentary crisis, and arms smuggling persists in adjacent countries. In Bosnia, mining ventures and human-rights initiatives for wartime victims have gained momentum. Albania grapples with a critical healthcare deficit. Moldova debates macro-financial assistance and contends with disinformation while wary of Russian military expansion in Transnistria. Romania strives to balance its budget and bolster energy security and cybersecurity, while Eastern European nations commit to significantly increased defense spending. In Bulgaria, nationalists rally against euro integration, and in Hungary, transparency legislation sparks protests from human-rights defenders. Taken together, these developments underscore that the region remains in the midst of active political and economic recalibration, with euro-integration, security, and human rights at the forefront.