Vucic: Kurti has launched a hunt against Serbs, we will support the Serb List and fight for the positions of our people

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated, ahead of the snap parliamentary elections in Kosovo scheduled for June 7, that the situation will be extremely difficult for Serbs because, according to him, Albin Kurti has launched “a hunt against Serbs,” but emphasized that Serbia will support the Serb List and fight for the positions of the Serbian people.

“It will be extremely difficult for us. Albin Kurti has launched a hunt against Serbs, against people who dismissed employees due to violations of work discipline. And now he has begun arresting the most respected Serbs — school principals, directors of healthcare centers. And all this at the instruction of Nenad Rasic, although you can always find such Serbs who will stand with those seeking to persecute Serbs,” Vucic told RTS.

Asked about his expectations regarding the elections, Vucic replied that he would fully support the Serb List.

“We will fight. We will support the Serb List with all our strength, and we will fight for the positions of the Serbian people. Meanwhile, the Albanians will do everything they can to defeat the Serbs, forcibly supporting their own loyalists and those who seek to undermine Serbia,” Vucic stressed.

When asked whether the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM) remains a realistic objective, Vucic answered that both the CSM and the survival of the Serbian people are essential priorities.

“Absolutely the CSM — it was signed on April 19, 2013. But it is also about the survival of our people. We are waiting to see when and in what manner many will remember that respect for the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1244 has no alternative,” the Serbian President stated.

Proposal by Merz Outside the Usual Bureaucratic Framework

Vucic assessed that the proposal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to grant Ukraine associate membership status is, in a certain sense, a positive development because it signals thinking beyond the usual bureaucratic framework, although he pointed out that Serbia cannot be compared to Ukraine.

Vucic explained that Serbia can hardly be measured against Ukraine because Europe views Ukraine as a country that defended the continent from Russia, whereas Serbia, because it did not impose sanctions on Moscow, is not viewed in the same way.

“Chancellor Merz’s proposal is based on the belief that they owe Ukraine gratitude and therefore wish to grant it associate member status. As for everyone else — regardless,” Vucic said in an interview with RTS.

He added that the statement he signed together with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama regarding the importance of opening borders and integration into a common market was positive.

“However, Merz’s message is positive in one sense, because there is finally some thinking outside the usual bureaucratic framework. Whether the substance is satisfactory for us — it is not. But I believe it could represent a different kind of beginning,” Vucic said.

He expressed confidence that Ukraine will receive broader opportunities compared to other countries.

Asked whether, during yesterday’s telephone conversation, he invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to visit Serbia, Vucic said they had discussed the possibility of a visit to Belgrade.

He particularly emphasized that Ukraine has not recognized Kosovo and has never acted against Serbia’s interests.

“We also discussed his possible visit to Belgrade. I am waiting for him to respond. Ukraine has not recognized Kosovo’s independence and has never done anything harmful to Serbia. It is a country on the European path. As with all countries, we maintain entirely normal relations with Ukraine,” Vucic said, adding that Zelenskyy had not demanded from him what “some others” have demanded.

“Serbia has its own position, and I do not allow anyone to speak to Serbia through threats,” Vucic added.

He stressed that relations with Russia were not discussed during the conversation with Zelenskyy and noted that most of their discussion focused on European integration and the latest proposals currently emerging.

On Montenegro: “We Did Not Recognize 14 Percent of Your Territory — You Did That with Kosovo”

Commenting on the anniversary of Montenegro’s independence, Vucic stated that he cannot force anyone to do anything, but noted that accusations of Serbian interference in Montenegro’s internal affairs arrive daily from Podgorica, which is why he tries to avoid the topic altogether.

“You celebrate independence; we do not celebrate it, nor did we ever support the dissolution of the state union. But these constant complaints about the victims of pressure from so-called Greater Serbian aspirations… We did not recognize 14 percent of Montenegro’s territory — you did that yourselves with Kosovo and Metohija, and only two years after that supposedly historic decision on separation… You did that to us, not the other way around. We have done nothing harmful to you,” Vucic stated.

Recalling that a change of government occurred in Montenegro in 2020 on the foundations of Serbian patriotism, Vucic questioned whether the Serbian language had become official or whether the Serbian tricolor had become an official symbol.

“It has not. So what exactly have the Serbs gained? It is wonderful that some people hold positions in government — congratulations on that — but what has the Serbian people actually gained? Nothing. Those are the facts,” Vucic emphasized.

He added that he maintains very good relations with Milan Knezevic, noting that Knezevic demonstrated that there are people to whom commitment to their nation and political principles matters more than holding office.

Asked whether his relationship with Jakov Milatovic is better than it was with Milo Đukanovic, Vucic replied:

“It is the same. I make no distinction.”

He also recalled that when he became Prime Minister of Serbia, salaries in Montenegro stood at €490 — around 50 percent higher than in Serbia — whereas today Montenegrin salaries are no longer higher.

“We are progressing faster and will continue to advance economically at a faster pace. Economic development interests me the most, and that is why I am going to China. During the summer, many people will be surprised by enormous projects with American partners worth tens of billions of dollars,” Vucic announced.

“I Expect an Exceptional Visit to China; We Have Already Agreed €1 Billion in Investments”

The Serbian President further stated that he expects an exceptional visit to China and added that investments worth €1 billion have already been agreed upon.

“I have even heard there is a possibility that I could receive the highest decoration from President Xi. That would be an incredible honor for me, and I would be the proudest president. But more important are the results we deliver to citizens. We have already agreed €1 billion in investments,” Vucic said.

He announced that he would sign two major joint declarations with President Xi Jinping, as well as agreements with companies.

“At least 33 agreements, and another 30 arrangements and contracts still to come. That means accelerated development and industrialization of Serbia,” Vucic stressed, adding that discussions would also cover semiconductor manufacturing and robot production in Serbia.

Asked whether China is becoming Serbia’s “new Russia,” or Serbia’s new protector, Vucic replied that Serbia always relies on itself and remains militarily neutral.

“At the United Nations, we have always had the support of Russia and China. China today is a center of stability — it does not wage wars or conflicts, it supports peace, and it is rapidly approaching the number one position globally in all spheres of life,” Vucic underlined, adding that this would be his ninth visit to China.

He reiterated that after returning from China he would travel to Tivat for the EU–Western Balkans Summit, though not because of an invitation from the Montenegrin authorities, but because he was invited by Ursula von der Leyen.

“I have respect for her. She was the only one willing to visit even smaller places in Serbia and has always shown respect toward our country. Had someone else invited me, I would not have gone. I do not know what the point would have been or what I would have said,” Vucic emphasized.

On NIS: “I Hope for a Solution, but I Am Not Optimistic”

Regarding the future of Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), Vucic stated that he is not optimistic about negotiations over the sale of the Russian stake to Hungary’s MOL Group, although he still hopes a solution can be found.

“We have invested enormous effort and shown great concern for citizens throughout this year and a half of uncertainty, yet people have not felt the consequences, not even through price increases. We did everything possible to help citizens. We held countless meetings with MOL and continue discussions. Am I optimistic? No, but I remain hopeful,” Vucic said.

He expressed expectation that the American side would extend the deadline for reaching an agreement but emphasized that a solution must be found quickly.

“We will find a solution,” the Serbian President stressed.

Vucic warned that Europe could face shortages of oil and petroleum products in July but assured citizens that Serbia would have sufficient reserves because it is replenishing its stockpiles.

“Citizens do not need to worry; we will always ensure security of supply. We have avoided nationalization from the beginning because we are neither the Comintern nor a socialist alliance — we approach our partners and friends seriously. We are trying to resolve the problems and we will find a solution; we have several options. We are also working with American partners, and we have started receiving certain messages from the Russian side as well. We shall see,” Vucic said.

He added that Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar had told him about ten days earlier that Hungary remained interested.

President Vucic also announced that elections would be held “sometime between September and November.”