The funeral of former Serbian General and convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Belgrade drew large crowds and was held with honors, sparking outrage within the European Union. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes as “shocking,” highlighting a failure to confront a dark chapter in recent European history. Von der Leyen stated the event is an impediment to Serbia’s path towards EU membership. The display of respect for Mladić, who was convicted of genocide and war crimes committed during the Bosnian War, has been widely condemned internationally. The funeral’s circumstances raise concerns about ongoing nationalism and denial of accountability in Serbia. This incident is anticipated to further complicate Serbia’s EU accession process, requiring demonstrable reconciliation with its past. The handling of the funeral has been viewed as a significant setback for regional stability and the pursuit of justice.