Grenell: We do not support violent takeover of government buildings; Djuric: Grenell is Serbia’s ally and pillar

US Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell, commenting on the protests in Serbia, emphasized that the United States does not support those who undermine the rule of law or violently seize government buildings.

"It is always important to raise your voice and to be heard. But everyone must condemn violence and stick to peaceful demonstrations. The democratic process must be respected. We do not support those who undermine the rule of law or who forcefully take over government buildings. If you don’t like a law or a leader then work to change it – but don’t resort to violence," Grenell said in his post on the social network "X."

This post has sparked reactions in the Serbian public. Leaders of the Serbian opposition, Dragan Djilas, Borko Stefanovic, and Srdjan Milivojevic, negatively commented on the views of the US President's Envoy regarding the protests in Serbia, after which Serbia's Foreign Minister, Marko Djuric criticized these attacks on Grenell.

President of the Party of Freedom and Justice Dragan Djilas, responding to Grenell’s statement, said that they would fight for their freedom themselves and would owe nothing to anyone. His deputy, Borko Stefanovic, called Grenell’s statement shameful.

Democratic Party President Srdjan Milivojevic also reacted to Grenell’s statement, saying that Grenell, like Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, has no authority in this matter.

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric expressed concern over the wave of insults directed at Grenell by certain opposition leaders in Serbia following his statement on "X."

Djuric stated that the understanding of Serbian issues demonstrated by US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, provides significant support in complex geopolitical circumstances. He also emphasized that Serbia’s national and state issues cannot be resolved without allies like Grenell.

In an opinion piece for Novosti, Djuric emphasized that losing such an ally due to thoughtless actions or statements would be a serious blow to Serbia’s strategic interests.

"His understanding of Serbian issues and his support for our legitimate interests provide a significant pillar of support in complex geopolitical circumstances. Losing such an ally due to thoughtless actions or statements would be a serious blow to our strategic interests. Our national and state issues cannot be resolved without allies like him. Those who insult him should show less blindness and shortsightedness and more responsibility," Djuric stated.

He added that Serbia must be aware that, "if we waste valuable time now in internal conflicts or revolutions, we risk facing a decade of political wandering and instability similar to what we experienced after the revolution in the first decade of this century."

"This would mean, alongside all other catastrophic economic and broader societal consequences, missing a historic opportunity to establish a strategic partnership with the new US administration, which offers us something we haven’t had in over 80 years – a series of interlocutors who are well-intentioned and aligned with our priorities. Such an opportunity must not be taken lightly. My stance is not in conflict with consistent efforts to keep our foreign policy balanced. On the contrary, it preserves this unique potential of ours," Djuric stressed.