Hill: I am satisfied with the level of development in the relations between Serbia and Ukraine

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill stated that he is satisfied with the level of development in relations between Serbia and Ukraine, which has been supported by Serbia in various ways, especially through humanitarian aid.

"Serbia has long maintained an independent, and some would say uneven, foreign policy, which has been confusing for some. I am very pleased to see the extent to which Serbia has developed its relationship with Ukraine. This is probably a central issue we are facing in European security. It will be discussed next year, in 10 years, and in 100 years, and one of the big questions will be how countries have handled it, how they have positioned themselves. I think Serbia has been an important part of helping Ukraine," Hill told for Blic TV. He expressed great satisfaction that Serbia has sent an ambassador and opened an embassy in Ukraine.

He emphasized that Serbia has tried to help Ukraine in various ways, most importantly, humanitarian.

"Every day Russia attacks civilian infrastructure, aiming to significantly worsen the lives of the civilian population in Ukraine. Serbia has done a lot to help, and I am very pleased with this direction. It has great significance for Serbia, for the present and for the legacy," Hill said.

Serbia is fortunate to have people of Minister Djuric's caliber in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

When asked about the role of Minister Marko Djuric in this process, Hill responded that energetic and intelligent people are needed to conduct such foreign policy, being active and engaged with many different countries.

"I am not a spokesperson for Marko Djuric, nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but I think Serbia is an important player in Europe. Serbia has a perspective on the rest of the world, whether it's the global south, Africa, or the South Pacific. Serbia is a player and I think it brings a lot to the table. To conduct such foreign policy, to be active, engaged with many different countries with great interest, whether in the Middle East or Africa, you need energetic and very smart people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am not a spokesperson for the Ministry, but Serbia is fortunate to have people of such caliber as Marko Djuric," said Hill.

Relations with the U.S. are progressing, there's a misunderstanding about Kosovo

Speaking of the relations between Serbia and the U.S., he noted that they are progressing, but there is a misunderstanding about Kosovo, stating that this disagreement should not slow down the joint ability of the two countries to work in other areas.

"I think we are moving forward. Would I like it to be faster? Yes. Would I like the path to be more direct? Yes. But in diplomacy, sometimes the shortest distance between two points is not a straight line but has many curves. Serbia and the U.S. are really trying to speed up the dialogue process, trying to understand each other, we are listening to each other more, which is a skill in diplomacy that people sometimes don't even think about. To learn something you have to listen... I have tried to better understand, to see where we can move forward," the ambassador said.

He reminded that the two countries view the issue of Kosovo differently.

"We have a misunderstanding about Kosovo, obviously. But we must not allow a disagreement in one area to slow our ability to work in other areas. I think it is going well," said the U.S. ambassador.

He assessed that there have been significant advancements in the relations between the U.S. and Serbia, including the "capacity to talk" about Kosovo and other issues, more than before.

"Previously, our relationship with Serbia was exclusively about bilateral problems. But as Serbia has grown and gained a reputation, and I think it's fair to say that, it has opinions about other things. So, when we talk about Serbia, it's not just about relations with the U.S., it's about our understanding of its insights about the Middle East, the situation in Ukraine, and what might be the way forward. It's important to listen and understand. To grasp where another country is coming from, to look for areas where we agree and try to expand that agreement. And that's exactly what we're trying to do here, in Serbia," said Hill.

He believes that Serbia is moving in the right direction and that the relations between Serbia and the U.S. are progressing.

He noted that some might have a problem with his assessment, and he understands that people are frustrated, and that when they live in one place they have many frustrations and can conclude that things are moving in the wrong direction.

"But when you have the perspective that I have had, being away and then returning, you see that it's a country with ambition," Hill said.

He stated that today he sees Serbia as a country where more and more people can fulfill their personal and national ambitions by being there, and he finds that encouraging.

"I feel encouraged, I'm sure I'll receive messages of hate for this, but I think Serbia is moving in the right direction. You have to compare yourself with other countries to understand why I believe you are moving in the right direction," said Hill.

"You must believe in the logic that you are part of the EU."

Regarding Serbia's path to EU membership, he agrees that it is frustrating for citizens to wait a long time to enter the EU, but he positively noted that after several years in Serbia, public opinion polls show that support for joining the EU is growing in the country.

"First and foremost, you must believe in the logic that you are part of the EU. And when I think about the logical destination for Serbia, I don't see Serbia alone. Serbia should be in a larger structure that respects sovereignty and diverse viewpoints. I think Serbia can draw this from the EU. And I believe people feel this," said Hill.

He added that there is a lot of pluralism in the EU, but he is confident that Serbia can fit into this pluralism.

He reminded that the numerous foreign factories in Vojvodina are a sign that people feel Serbia will be an EU member.

"This is the real future for Serbia, and I think the Serbs have recognized that better relations with the EU are important. And now they see it. They see a lot of energy, some real strength in reaching out to the EU, in trying to explain Serbia's viewpoint, and in understanding the EU's viewpoint without causing conflicts," Hill said.