Lavrov in Beijing doesn't mince words: the European Union wants Serbia to be a 'buffer zone' against Russia. Two conditions on the table - recognizing Kosovo and sanctions against Moscow. Take them or forget about the EU.

'President Vucic has repeatedly said he won't join the European Union under anti-Russian conditions. We respect that position,' the Russian foreign minister declared. In other words: Russia is happy as long as Serbia is stuck between two chairs.

Lavrov called it the 'anti-Serbian essence' of Brussels. But is it really anti-Serbian - or is it anti-Russian, and Serbia is simply in the way? Belgrade is in a position we know all too well in the Balkans: everyone wants to pull you in, nobody gives you enough to stay.

It's interesting that this comes from the man whose country is waging war in Europe, speaking from Beijing - the city of the 'alternative world order.' Lavrov spoke of integrative infrastructure in the Balkans. Of Russian pipelines and Chinese highways, we add. The question for Serbia is old: can you sit on two chairs forever?