Milan Igrutinović
@migrutinovic.bsky.social
Historian & IR scholar at the Institute of European Studies, Belgrade
#academicsky #skystorians #IRsky
https://igrutinovic.wordpress.com/
#academicsky #skystorians #IRsky
https://igrutinovic.wordpress.com/
My two colleagues and me have just published a paper, tackling a Jadar lithium mining project in Serbia against the backdrop of the EU integrations, inherent norm compliance, and strategic interests.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Environmental contradictions in the EU accession process: lessons from a lithium mining project in Serbia
The EU’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, alongside its pursuit of strategic autonomy in critical raw materials such as lithium, often finds itself at odds with its own environmental...
www.tandfonline.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
My two colleagues and me have just published a paper, tackling a Jadar lithium mining project in Serbia against the backdrop of the EU integrations, inherent norm compliance, and strategic interests.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
A Hillbilly EULogy, so to speak.
The new national security strategy’s ‘great optimism’ for the rise of ‘patriotic European parties’ builds on the themes of Vice President JD Vance’s Munich Security Conference speech.
Trump’s new national security strategy: Cut deals, hammer Europe, and tread gently around autocrats
The strategy confirms US volatility and unpredictability: hedging remains the best way for other countries to respond.
www.chathamhouse.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A Hillbilly EULogy, so to speak.
MAGA->MEGA against the EU will shape to be quite an existential challenge:
"Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland are listed as countries the U.S. should “work more with…with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].”"
"Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland are listed as countries the U.S. should “work more with…with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].”"
December 10, 2025 at 12:09 AM
MAGA->MEGA against the EU will shape to be quite an existential challenge:
"Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland are listed as countries the U.S. should “work more with…with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].”"
"Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland are listed as countries the U.S. should “work more with…with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].”"
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
Today’s local elections in Serbia – in Mionica, Negotin and Sečanj – were a snapshot of that reality: fraud, intimidation, assaults on observers, and mobs operating with police complicity.
We believe democracy cannot survive without accountability. Vučić’s regime threatens both.
We believe democracy cannot survive without accountability. Vučić’s regime threatens both.
November 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Today’s local elections in Serbia – in Mionica, Negotin and Sečanj – were a snapshot of that reality: fraud, intimidation, assaults on observers, and mobs operating with police complicity.
We believe democracy cannot survive without accountability. Vučić’s regime threatens both.
We believe democracy cannot survive without accountability. Vučić’s regime threatens both.
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
Why is Vučić afraid of national elections? Because when he’s not sending thugs to beat up students, young people, citizens, MPs or journalists – as he did today in Mionica – he knows he can’t win.
His party is increasingly isolated, holding on to power through violence, fear and voter manipulation.
His party is increasingly isolated, holding on to power through violence, fear and voter manipulation.
November 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Why is Vučić afraid of national elections? Because when he’s not sending thugs to beat up students, young people, citizens, MPs or journalists – as he did today in Mionica – he knows he can’t win.
His party is increasingly isolated, holding on to power through violence, fear and voter manipulation.
His party is increasingly isolated, holding on to power through violence, fear and voter manipulation.
Since I'm in Florence, been reading the outlet and got hooked on local darkwave bands from the 1980s.
Starting with Diaframma, on to Litfiba, Neon, Pankow....
www.theflorentine.net/2025/11/19/d...
Starting with Diaframma, on to Litfiba, Neon, Pankow....
www.theflorentine.net/2025/11/19/d...
La vita oscura: Darkwave + Florence in the 1980s | The Florentine
In the wake of Patti Smith’s legendary performance, bands like Diaframma and Litfiba made Florence the centre of Italy’s new wave scene.
www.theflorentine.net
November 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Since I'm in Florence, been reading the outlet and got hooked on local darkwave bands from the 1980s.
Starting with Diaframma, on to Litfiba, Neon, Pankow....
www.theflorentine.net/2025/11/19/d...
Starting with Diaframma, on to Litfiba, Neon, Pankow....
www.theflorentine.net/2025/11/19/d...
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
Activism without lasting forms of collective organisation
On 19 November, 16.00 CET, join a lecture by Anton Jäger @ox.ac.uk on his concept of "hyperpolitics", describing today's increasing politicisation leading to few political consequences 👉 loom.ly/deT9Uyc
Organised by @inthiseui.bsky.social
On 19 November, 16.00 CET, join a lecture by Anton Jäger @ox.ac.uk on his concept of "hyperpolitics", describing today's increasing politicisation leading to few political consequences 👉 loom.ly/deT9Uyc
Organised by @inthiseui.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Activism without lasting forms of collective organisation
On 19 November, 16.00 CET, join a lecture by Anton Jäger @ox.ac.uk on his concept of "hyperpolitics", describing today's increasing politicisation leading to few political consequences 👉 loom.ly/deT9Uyc
Organised by @inthiseui.bsky.social
On 19 November, 16.00 CET, join a lecture by Anton Jäger @ox.ac.uk on his concept of "hyperpolitics", describing today's increasing politicisation leading to few political consequences 👉 loom.ly/deT9Uyc
Organised by @inthiseui.bsky.social
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
Join us next Monday for an @eui-adgcentre.bsky.social (hybrid) seminar with exciting presentations by @migrutinovic.bsky.social (Yugoslavia-EEC relations, 1980s) & Jonah Berger (early steps towards creation of a European foreign service, 1990s).
Registration here: www.eui.eu/events?id=58...
Registration here: www.eui.eu/events?id=58...
Alcide De Gasperi Centre research seminar
Fernand Braudel Fellow Dr Milan Igrutinović will present his work on the interplay between the former Yugoslavia and the EEC in the 1980s, while EUI PhD candidate Jonah J Berger will discuss his resea...
www.eui.eu
November 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Join us next Monday for an @eui-adgcentre.bsky.social (hybrid) seminar with exciting presentations by @migrutinovic.bsky.social (Yugoslavia-EEC relations, 1980s) & Jonah Berger (early steps towards creation of a European foreign service, 1990s).
Registration here: www.eui.eu/events?id=58...
Registration here: www.eui.eu/events?id=58...
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
💬 How were the EEC–Yugoslavia relations? And how did the EC build its own diplomatic corps?
Join us on 17 November for our next research seminar with @migrutinovic.bsky.social (Institute of European Studies, Belgrade) and Jonah Berger (EUI) exploring Europe’s external relations.
🔗 loom.ly/15xC2tE
Join us on 17 November for our next research seminar with @migrutinovic.bsky.social (Institute of European Studies, Belgrade) and Jonah Berger (EUI) exploring Europe’s external relations.
🔗 loom.ly/15xC2tE
November 13, 2025 at 8:11 AM
💬 How were the EEC–Yugoslavia relations? And how did the EC build its own diplomatic corps?
Join us on 17 November for our next research seminar with @migrutinovic.bsky.social (Institute of European Studies, Belgrade) and Jonah Berger (EUI) exploring Europe’s external relations.
🔗 loom.ly/15xC2tE
Join us on 17 November for our next research seminar with @migrutinovic.bsky.social (Institute of European Studies, Belgrade) and Jonah Berger (EUI) exploring Europe’s external relations.
🔗 loom.ly/15xC2tE
Vučić is hoping for a magical US-RU deal on the issue, and looks to ride Orban's coat tails on this. There's practically zero chance of that happening.
He and the gvmt still refuse the idea of takeover of NIS ownership from Gazprom, thus increasing the chances of major internal oil crisis.
He and the gvmt still refuse the idea of takeover of NIS ownership from Gazprom, thus increasing the chances of major internal oil crisis.
Serbia plans to ask the US, jointly with Russia, to temporarily lift sanctions on NIS, its key oil company controlled by Gazprom Neft. President Vučić says NIS covers nearly 80% of Serbia’s fuel needs and over 90% of aviation fuel and mazut.
November 9, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Vučić is hoping for a magical US-RU deal on the issue, and looks to ride Orban's coat tails on this. There's practically zero chance of that happening.
He and the gvmt still refuse the idea of takeover of NIS ownership from Gazprom, thus increasing the chances of major internal oil crisis.
He and the gvmt still refuse the idea of takeover of NIS ownership from Gazprom, thus increasing the chances of major internal oil crisis.
Serbian gvmt has decided to create a "Faculty of Serbian Studies" by cutting out depts of history, Serbian, and Russian(!?) language out of University of Niš.
It has done so despite the tacit "no" from the uni and departmental councils.
/1
www.danas.rs/vesti/drustv...
It has done so despite the tacit "no" from the uni and departmental councils.
/1
www.danas.rs/vesti/drustv...
Vlada Srbije osnovala Fakultet srpskih studija u Nišu, a da pozitivno mišljenje nisu dali ni Univerzitet ni Filozofski fakultet
Vlada Republike Srbije je "nakon sprovođenja svih zakonom propisanih procedura" na današnjoj sednici donela odluku o osnivanju Fakulteta srpskih studija Univerziteta u Nišu, javili su pojedini provlad...
www.danas.rs
November 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Serbian gvmt has decided to create a "Faculty of Serbian Studies" by cutting out depts of history, Serbian, and Russian(!?) language out of University of Niš.
It has done so despite the tacit "no" from the uni and departmental councils.
/1
www.danas.rs/vesti/drustv...
It has done so despite the tacit "no" from the uni and departmental councils.
/1
www.danas.rs/vesti/drustv...
It seems that internal* Russian repackaging of ownership of US-sanctioned oil business (Lukoil but, implicitly also Gazprom, and for Serbian NIS) is a non-starter for lifting the sanctions.
Gunvor drops $22bn bid for Lukoil assets after US moves to block deal on.ft.com/43N6g4S
Gunvor drops $22bn bid for Lukoil assets after US moves to block deal
Treasury calls Swiss trader ‘Kremlin’s puppet’ and says it would block its licence to operate
on.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:43 AM
It seems that internal* Russian repackaging of ownership of US-sanctioned oil business (Lukoil but, implicitly also Gazprom, and for Serbian NIS) is a non-starter for lifting the sanctions.
My interview for "Glas Slavonije" (Croatia), with Darko Jerković, on Serbian integration into the EU.
The point is fairly simple - any progress now is practically inconceivable under this government.
Reasons are many, but they merge to a straightforward answer.
www.glas-slavonije.hr/magazin/2025...
The point is fairly simple - any progress now is practically inconceivable under this government.
Reasons are many, but they merge to a straightforward answer.
www.glas-slavonije.hr/magazin/2025...
November 2, 2025 at 10:17 PM
My interview for "Glas Slavonije" (Croatia), with Darko Jerković, on Serbian integration into the EU.
The point is fairly simple - any progress now is practically inconceivable under this government.
Reasons are many, but they merge to a straightforward answer.
www.glas-slavonije.hr/magazin/2025...
The point is fairly simple - any progress now is practically inconceivable under this government.
Reasons are many, but they merge to a straightforward answer.
www.glas-slavonije.hr/magazin/2025...
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
👋 Meet our new Fernand Braudel Fellow, @migrutinovic.bsky.social , joining us thanks to the #EUIWidening Programme!
His project explores the political and economic relations between Yugoslavia and the ECC in the 1980s.
Find out more about our Fellowships 👉 loom.ly/u_hjJE4
His project explores the political and economic relations between Yugoslavia and the ECC in the 1980s.
Find out more about our Fellowships 👉 loom.ly/u_hjJE4
October 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
👋 Meet our new Fernand Braudel Fellow, @migrutinovic.bsky.social , joining us thanks to the #EUIWidening Programme!
His project explores the political and economic relations between Yugoslavia and the ECC in the 1980s.
Find out more about our Fellowships 👉 loom.ly/u_hjJE4
His project explores the political and economic relations between Yugoslavia and the ECC in the 1980s.
Find out more about our Fellowships 👉 loom.ly/u_hjJE4
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
YES! THIS on GenAI!
Please read this absolutely splendid piece of writing that had me cheering, a little bit weepy, and writing in the margins:
"An extraordinary amount of money is spent by the AI industry to ensure that acquiescence is the only plausible response. But marketing is not destiny."
Please read this absolutely splendid piece of writing that had me cheering, a little bit weepy, and writing in the margins:
"An extraordinary amount of money is spent by the AI industry to ensure that acquiescence is the only plausible response. But marketing is not destiny."
Large Language Muddle | The Editors
The AI upheaval is unique in its ability to metabolize any number of dread-inducing transformations. The university is becoming more corporate, more politically oppressive, and all but hostile to the ...
www.nplusonemag.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:07 PM
YES! THIS on GenAI!
Please read this absolutely splendid piece of writing that had me cheering, a little bit weepy, and writing in the margins:
"An extraordinary amount of money is spent by the AI industry to ensure that acquiescence is the only plausible response. But marketing is not destiny."
Please read this absolutely splendid piece of writing that had me cheering, a little bit weepy, and writing in the margins:
"An extraordinary amount of money is spent by the AI industry to ensure that acquiescence is the only plausible response. But marketing is not destiny."
From Oct 1 the US Gov will levy sanctions against the Serbian de facto oil monopoly NIS, as majority of its shares are owned by Gazprom and connected companies.
For months the SR gov has refused to nationalise the company (as Vučić values the RU connection) and RU side has refused any buyout.
For months the SR gov has refused to nationalise the company (as Vučić values the RU connection) and RU side has refused any buyout.
September 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
From Oct 1 the US Gov will levy sanctions against the Serbian de facto oil monopoly NIS, as majority of its shares are owned by Gazprom and connected companies.
For months the SR gov has refused to nationalise the company (as Vučić values the RU connection) and RU side has refused any buyout.
For months the SR gov has refused to nationalise the company (as Vučić values the RU connection) and RU side has refused any buyout.
This actually isn't a building in New/Novi Belgrade, this is the "Eastern Gate" or "Rudo" complex.
But stiil, brutalism par excellence.
maps.app.goo.gl/HtvYfJoY9x3B...
But stiil, brutalism par excellence.
maps.app.goo.gl/HtvYfJoY9x3B...
September 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This actually isn't a building in New/Novi Belgrade, this is the "Eastern Gate" or "Rudo" complex.
But stiil, brutalism par excellence.
maps.app.goo.gl/HtvYfJoY9x3B...
But stiil, brutalism par excellence.
maps.app.goo.gl/HtvYfJoY9x3B...
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
Serbian students are our nominees for the #SakharovPrize!
Since the tragic Novi Sad railway station accident, these courageous young people have led peaceful protests for a free & democratic 🇷🇸
Their fight reflects the EU’s core principles & inspires beyond Serbia’s borders
Since the tragic Novi Sad railway station accident, these courageous young people have led peaceful protests for a free & democratic 🇷🇸
Their fight reflects the EU’s core principles & inspires beyond Serbia’s borders
September 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Serbian students are our nominees for the #SakharovPrize!
Since the tragic Novi Sad railway station accident, these courageous young people have led peaceful protests for a free & democratic 🇷🇸
Their fight reflects the EU’s core principles & inspires beyond Serbia’s borders
Since the tragic Novi Sad railway station accident, these courageous young people have led peaceful protests for a free & democratic 🇷🇸
Their fight reflects the EU’s core principles & inspires beyond Serbia’s borders
Reposted by Milan Igrutinović
Serbia’s Vučić brands European Green Party officials ‘scum’ amid deepening unrest
Serbia’s Vučić brands European Green Party officials ‘scum’ amid deepening unrest
Serbia is bearing witness to its most sustained protest movement since the collapse of Yugoslavia
dlvr.it
September 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Serbia’s Vučić brands European Green Party officials ‘scum’ amid deepening unrest
And late last night, president Vučić called the @europeangreens.eu MEPs the "worst European scum" while fuming against the student/civic protestors at the University of Novi Sad, attacked and tear-gassed by the riot police and armed SNS party thugs.
New levels of vitriol.
n1info.rs/vesti/vucic-...
New levels of vitriol.
n1info.rs/vesti/vucic-...
September 6, 2025 at 9:04 AM
And late last night, president Vučić called the @europeangreens.eu MEPs the "worst European scum" while fuming against the student/civic protestors at the University of Novi Sad, attacked and tear-gassed by the riot police and armed SNS party thugs.
New levels of vitriol.
n1info.rs/vesti/vucic-...
New levels of vitriol.
n1info.rs/vesti/vucic-...
In his letter to the @financialtimes.com Serbian president Vučić claims that "democracies cannot rewrite electoral timetables ... Doing so would be destabilising, costly, and harmful".
That's rich given that he and his party have initiated 5 parliamentary elections in 9 years (2014-2023) without /1
That's rich given that he and his party have initiated 5 parliamentary elections in 9 years (2014-2023) without /1
August 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
In his letter to the @financialtimes.com Serbian president Vučić claims that "democracies cannot rewrite electoral timetables ... Doing so would be destabilising, costly, and harmful".
That's rich given that he and his party have initiated 5 parliamentary elections in 9 years (2014-2023) without /1
That's rich given that he and his party have initiated 5 parliamentary elections in 9 years (2014-2023) without /1
The Russian ambo to Serbia with strongest comments against the ongoing anti-gvmt protests thus far, with intentionally vague and sweeping accusations that the protests are run by "the West", for "Belgrade to lose control of the situation" etc.
www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/69...
www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/69...
Bocan-Harčenko: Zapad želi krv na ulicama Srbije
On je istakao da se u društvu oseća podela, ali i podsetio da su masovna i okupljanja građana koji podržavaju predsednika Srbije Aleksandra Vučića
www.politika.rs
August 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Russian ambo to Serbia with strongest comments against the ongoing anti-gvmt protests thus far, with intentionally vague and sweeping accusations that the protests are run by "the West", for "Belgrade to lose control of the situation" etc.
www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/69...
www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/69...
So, probably the first editorial of major international daily dealing with Vučić, and calling for pressure on him by the EU and UK, as "Vučić has to be pushed to be more accountable and hold genuinely fair elections".
AV is likely not on the breaking point on that, but still...
AV is likely not on the breaking point on that, but still...
Time to stop indulging Serbia’s authoritarian president on.ft.com/41daIsu | opinion
Time to stop indulging Serbia’s authoritarian president
Europe must raise pressure on Aleksandar Vučić to avoid a deeper democratic retreat
on.ft.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
So, probably the first editorial of major international daily dealing with Vučić, and calling for pressure on him by the EU and UK, as "Vučić has to be pushed to be more accountable and hold genuinely fair elections".
AV is likely not on the breaking point on that, but still...
AV is likely not on the breaking point on that, but still...
A good recap on the current vawe of clashes between civic protestants and the police and SNS party supporters.
#Serbia #protests
www.masina.rs/eng/tear-gas...
#Serbia #protests
www.masina.rs/eng/tear-gas...
Tear Gas and Defiance: Serbia’s Streets Erupt Against State Violence - Mašina English
Tear gas, smoke bombs, police beatings, and the military. The second day of mass protests in Serbia has been marked by arrests, police brutality, attacks on journalists and government impunity. Howeve...
www.masina.rs
August 18, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A good recap on the current vawe of clashes between civic protestants and the police and SNS party supporters.
#Serbia #protests
www.masina.rs/eng/tear-gas...
#Serbia #protests
www.masina.rs/eng/tear-gas...