American Representative Joe Wilson stated that Serbia should end its dependence on Russian energy sources, distance itself from the orbit of Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran, and fully align its positions with those of Western institutions.
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During a conversation with the Balkan Service of Radio Free Europe, Wilson reaffirmed his support for Kosovo’s statehood and sharply criticized Belgrade for what he described as incessant threats.
According to him, Serbia’s path toward membership in the European Union and NATO requires a clear break from authoritarian regimes.
The Republican lawmaker has proposed a resolution in Congress aiming to relocate the 2027 Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly from Belgrade to Charleston, South Carolina.
Although he stressed that the primary priority remains organizing the proceedings in the United States, he cited Serbia’s close relations with Russia, China, and Iran, as well as its treatment of Kosovo, as concerning reasons against Belgrade’s role as host country.
On the other hand, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly announced that the American delegation had previously notified them that Charleston was unable to host the session, leading to Belgrade’s selection through standard procedures.
Wilson clarified that the initial logistical obstacles, including those related to food, support staff, and translation, have now been overcome, suggesting that the Serbian capital could host the event in 2028.
Continuing the interview, he directly linked the influence of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Serbia’s current positioning. “A concern I have about holding the meeting there is the excessive influence of the war criminal Putin,” Wilson said, mentioning Belgrade’s purchase of Russian oil and gas and Moscow’s ownership of the NIS company.
The congressman added that besides ties with Moscow, concerning are also the investments of the Chinese Communist Party in the communications sector, as well as the closeness with the Iranian regime, which he described as a threat aimed at destroying America.
He stressed that former Yugoslav countries such as Slovenia and Croatia are moving forward successfully and expressed hope for the future of Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, whose independence he considers essential. According to him, Serbia’s ongoing threats are unacceptable in the 21st century.
Wilson argued that Belgrade should act unilaterally to sever ties with Moscow, without waiting for the conclusion of long negotiations, citing Bulgaria and Hungary as positive examples in reducing Russian energy dependence. “Negotiations are not enough. They do not need permission from Donald Trump,” he said.
Referring to the Parliamentary Assembly, the American lawmaker reiterated that Charleston already has all the necessary capacities, including culinary services, numerous volunteers from the academic and military community, and easy access to translators because they are provided by the OSCE itself.
Regarding regional politics, he assessed that a short-term solution would be for Belgrade to be the host in 2028, underscoring that President Trump has succeeded in unifying Europe against Russian aggression. In closing, Wilson called on the Serbian people to choose the path of freedom and democracy, distancing themselves from the totalitarianism of Putin and Beijing, so that Serbia may be on the right side of history.
