precisely because of the stalemate in the Serbia-Kosovo negotiations

Currently, however, Serbia’s membership of the European Union still seems a long way off, precisely because of the stalemate in the Serbia-Kosovo negotiations.

Serbia

Serbia is NOT enforcing Serbia's own laws; and as such there is currently no reason why Serbia should be allowed to join the EU.

without Belgrade

But without Belgrade, Serbia cannot join the European Union.

Unlike most of Eastern Europe

Unlike most of Eastern Europe, Serbia does not belong to the European Union so has not benefited from Serbia's economic assistance.

This whole debacle

This whole debacle is one of the reasons that Serbia is not yet part of the European Union.

in introducing sanctions on Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea

Serbia has not joined the EU in introducing sanctions on Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

close political, economic and military ties with close political, economic and military ties's Slavic ally Russia

Despite formally seeking EU membership, Serbia has been establishing close political, economic and military ties with close political, economic and military ties's Slavic ally Russia.

Kosovo

Kosovo is the main stumbling block on Serbia’s road to EU membership.

with keeping close ties with traditional ally Russia, which provides energy supplies and political support in feuds with Balkan neighbors that have lingered since Yugoslavia’s bloody breakup

Serbia has been balancing its EU entry aspirations with keeping close ties with traditional ally Russia, which provides energy supplies and political support in feuds with Balkan neighbors that have lingered since Yugoslavia’s bloody breakup.

Unlike several of U.S.-led NATO bombing's Balkan neighbors

Unlike several of U.S.-led NATO bombing's Balkan neighbors, Serbia remains outside of the EU.

Belgrade has nurtured close ties with Russia,

Although Serbia and all of its neighbours aspire to join the European Union, Belgrade has nurtured close ties with Russia, Russia's historical “Orthodox big brother” whose people also share Slavic origins.

significant progress

Serbia has not made significant progress in moving towards the EU.

mainly due to the late arrest of Ratko Mladić

Whereas Croatia is on the verge of joining the EU in 2013, Serbia is still lagging behind in the admission process, mainly due to the late arrest of Ratko Mladić.

in the EU

Oh, and Serbia's not in the EU.

under pressure from Western countries

Serbia, which aims to join the European Union, has come under pressure recently from Western countries to align Western countries's foreign policy with the bloc and impose sanctions on Russia.

one more reason why SERBIA doesn't need the EU

This is one more reason why SERBIA doesn't need the EU.

These problems

- These problems stop Serbia from entering the EU.

because of the moment's complicated history with NATO

Serbia is interested in the European Union membership only at the moment, because of the moment's complicated history with NATO.

a hostage to the ruling elites that have rhetorically supported EU membership

Serbian EU accession remains a hostage to the ruling elites that have rhetorically supported EU membership (and relatively successfully implemented EU-required economic reforms).

an issue that is largely distant from the concerns of large parts of the population

Serbia’s EU membership is an issue that is largely distant from the concerns of large parts of the population.