The United States said it was "disappointed" following the announcement that two individuals under U.S. sanctions have been included in the proposed new Serbian cabinet.
"We are disappointed to see two sanctioned individuals proposed for positions in the new government," a U.S. State Department spokesman told RFE/RL in a written statement on May 1.
The two nominees in question are Aleksandar Vulin, who has been proposed as deputy prime minister, and Nenad Popovic, who was tabbed as a minister without portfolio.
"Our position on Mr. Vulin and Mr. Popovic is well known," the State Department spokesman said. "They remain under U.S. sanctions." He added that Washington plays no role in the appointments in the Serbian government.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on May 1 that he is "not happy" with the State Department's position.
"I hope we will have good relations with our American partners," he said. "It is extremely important to have good relations."
Vulin, a former director of Serbia's BIA security agency, was sanctioned by Washington in July 2023 for "corrupt and destabilizing acts that have also facilitated Russia's malign activities in the region."
Popovic, a businessman and former minister without portfolio, was sanctioned in November 2023 for allegedly "operating in or having operated in the electronics sector of the Russian Federation economy."
In March, Vucic asked Defense Minister Milos Vucevic to form a new government after contested parliamentary elections last December.
Vucevic, the leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has been serving as defense minister and deputy prime minister since 2022. The SNS and its coalition partners won a narrow majority of 129 mandates in the 250-seat legislature in the close-fought vote that was marred by allegations of fraud.
Vucevic announced his picks on April 30, saying his cabinet would include the heads of 25 ministries and five ministers without portfolios.
Current Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has been proposed as interior minister, while Police Minister Bratislav Gasic was selected as defense minister.
Serbia's parliament was set to discuss the formation of the new government on May 1.