Djuric: Serbia and the U.S. partners in preserving stability, claims of Kosovo recognition fabrications

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric today dismissed allegations that he had been summoned to Washington so that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio could brief him on a secret binding agreement on recognizing Kosovo’s independence, stressing that such claims are complete fabrications. Speaking after a meeting with senior U.S. official for Europe Brendan Hanrahan, Djuric stated that the United States and Serbia would be strong partners in preserving regional stability and protecting the position of the Serbian people wherever they are endangered.

“If it weren’t sad, it would be laughable. I truly find it unbelievable that such claims are made by someone who at one time represented our country here, Nebojša Vujovic. When he served as chargé d’affaires in Washington, our country was bombed and relations were at their lowest possible level. These are complete fabrications, and they only demonstrate how successful and constructive this visit was—given the need for attacks from all sides and the clear fact that I met with Rubio, with key officials at the National Security Council and at the State Department,” Djuric told reporters in Washington.

He emphasized that Serbia is respected at the State Department, that Serbia’s positions are taken into account, and that there is determination and commitment to further develop cooperation, as well as respect for the Serbian people.

“Have our positions always been identical over the past three decades? They have not. But the fact is that we now have the opportunity, with the administration of Donald Trump, to elevate relations to the level of a strategic dialogue. As foreign minister, with the mandate of President Vucic and the Government of Serbia, I will work to strengthen Serbia’s position here. That is patriotism—not lies and fabrications suggesting that efforts here are somehow being made to the detriment of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija,” Djuric noted.

He recalled that as Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, he had spent eight and a half years “breaking bread with the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and fighting alongside them, putting my head on the line where some would not even set foot.”

“And now some would presume to lecture me. We discussed Kosovo and Metohija—but from the opposite angle of what certain ill-intentioned individuals are insinuating,” the minister said.

He also pointed out that the recent arrest of a group suspected of planning an assassination attempt against the President of Serbia should be of greater concern—not only from the perspective of the president’s personal security, as it also represents a threat to the country. He called on people to reflect on who, how, and why, through lies, propaganda, and hatred, creates an environment in which such things become normal and possible.

“This is similar to what we are seeing with Vujovic. There will be a hundred more fabrications about some alleged recognition of Kosovo. It is disgraceful. We will continue our struggle. We know what we believe in; we are fighting for the Serbian people, and 2026 will be a year of good results for Serbia—in the economy and in foreign policy. A difficult year is behind us, but what matters is not how many times you fall, but that you rise again. And Serbia will grow ever stronger,” Djuric said.

Summarizing his visit to Washington, he stressed that Serbia and the United States would be strong partners in preserving regional stability and protecting the position of the Serbian people wherever they are endangered.

“With today’s meeting at the State Department, we are concluding an outstanding visit to the United States. After talks with Brendan Hanrahan, Assistant to Marco Rubio for Europe and Eurasia, we can truly count on Serbia and the U.S. being firm and strong partners in preserving stability in our region, advancing the country’s and the region’s economic development, and protecting the position of our people wherever they may be at risk,” Serbia’s top diplomat said.

He conveyed that discussions covered the position of Serbs in Kosovo, the safeguarding of their rights, as well as regional stability, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other issues relating to the influence of certain regional actors.

“A high degree of convergence in views and understanding for Serbia was achieved. President Aleksandar Vucic is recognized here as someone who, through his work, leaves a positive mark and contributes to preserving regional stability and improving Serbia–U.S. relations,” Djuric concluded.