Analyst Edward P. Joseph calls Serbia's EU membership ambition "Vucic's farce." He says Belgrade uses membership rhetoric as cover while simultaneously strengthening ties with Russia and China.

Serbia has opened only 22 of 35 negotiation chapters in 12 years, while Albania accomplished the same in a single year. Joseph cites intimidation, media control and populism as key obstacles.

The March 15 protest was the largest in Serbia's history, followed by state repression.