Vucic: Kurti wants to become a legend by destroying the Serbs

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated tonight that the state of Serbia would manage to provide money to its people in Kosovo, regardless of the policies of Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who, he emphasized, was trying to become a legend by destroying an entire nation.

Commenting on the EU and US efforts to find a solution regarding the regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo, which Albin Kurti rejects, Vucic told RTS that Serbia would manage to provide money to its people no matter what.

"However it turns out, we will provide money to our people. Albin Kurti wants to expel the Serbs from Kosovo, there is currently, let's not say, a silent exodus, but a clear attempt to drive the Serbs away from their ancestral homes. I understand the struggles, and tears come to my eyes when I see our people waiting in front of the bank, and we could give three times more, but it's technically not feasible just because of one man who wants to become a legend by destroying an entire nation," Vucic said.

He asserts that in the long run, such a policy by Albin Kurti will not be able to survive, and Serbia will continue to provide money to its people.

Ukraine has not recognized Kosovo, I do not understand the negative attitude toward Kyiv

Vucic conveyed that he had had the most open conversation to date with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Tirana, on all important issues, emphasizing that he did not understand the negative attitude towards Ukraine, considering that it did not recognize the independence of Kosovo.

"We talked about all important topics, both countries are now on the path to the EU. We talked about the territorial integrity of both countries, respecting the UN Charter, but also about other important issues and initiatives for peace and how to achieve peace," Vucic said for RTS.

He added that Serbia's voice had been respectfully listened to today in Tirana, both by the hosts and many others, including Zelenskyy, who had shown respect for Serbia.

"And I don't understand when some express negative attitudes toward Ukraine. I understand relations with Russia, I understand everything perfectly, but I don't understand the negative attitude toward Ukraine, because it has never done anything bad to Serbia. It has not recognized Kosovo, they are our Slavic brothers, like the Russians, and we strive to have good relations," Vucic said.

Vjosa Osmani's insistence on a joint document with the Summit did not pass

The President reiterated that when adopting a joint document at the Summit in Tirana, Pristina had attempted something that should not be done, but Vjosa Osmani's insistence "did not pass."

"All day, yesterday, and through the night until this morning, we talked about the text of the Declaration. There were three contentious issues, and we resolved them before the start of the conference because they wanted Serbia to be present, not to 'stand out.' I made it clear that there are things we can agree on and things we absolutely cannot agree on. We cannot accept the term 'state' because by doing so, we would have recognized Kosovo, nor can we agree on sanctions against Russia because I neither have the authority, nor can I, nor do I want to undermine Serbia's policy. You cannot overthrow a country's policy overnight, without the parliament and the citizens," Vucic said.

Regarding the term "malign influence of Russia," he noted that there were other countries whose malign influence Serbia could talk about.

"Despite this, Osmani insisted on voting again only on the provision regarding sanctions against Russia. It didn't pass, and that's that," the President of Serbia said.

Serbia's position is increasingly difficult; it's good that we keep our heads above water

He pointed out that Serbia's position was becoming increasingly difficult, and he found it strange when he saw headlines suggesting that he "achieved some victory." He emphasizes that there are no victories because victories are only factories working in Serbia, while in political matters, "it's good to keep our heads above water."

On the question of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for joint ammunition production between Ukraine and regional countries, Vucic specifies that Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are significant producers in the region, with Serbia accounting for 50%, Croatia 30%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 20%.

"Then it's clear what we're talking about. I told him that we need to assess our position. We have a 62% ammunition fill rate, and I don't want to sound arrogant, but I've ordered it to be filled to 100%. We have to work a lot in our factories to achieve that, so we'll see how we'll fill our own platform. But we are ready to talk to our friends," Vucic said.

Commenting on tomorrow's summit topic - the EU growth plan, the President of Serbia says that he brought Finance Minister Sinisa Mali to deal with it, but he is interested in something more because it will generate more money for Serbia and better political relations, and that is the agenda related to the common market.

"These are things that reduce operating costs for our companies, and that's why I'm interested in such a way of developing cooperation with Europeans. I'm not interested in political declarations; they are unfavorable towards us because of the independence of our policy, but in the end, everyone respects us, and there are no sanctions against us despite some internal desires for them, which means we have managed to pursue a wise policy," Vucic said.

While noting that he doesn't want to appear to have an arrogant attitude towards money, Vucic says that Serbia has no problems with it and in that sense, he points out that they are the only government that has kept the dinar exchange rate stable for 11 years and that it has never happened that a pension or salary has been delayed even for a day.

"That's when you have serious financial stability. Here, at the summit, we have great interests; Varhelyi and Kopman are coming, and it is very important for me to fight for that for our country, and I will do my best," Vucic said.

Regarding the ODIHR report: All allegations of election theft "fell apart"

Vucic also noted that considering the ODIHR report, "all lies about election theft fell apart."

He says he has seen the report and everything that has been said, and he called on the government to take into account ODIHR's recommendations.

"It is important that they have clearly indicated the lies and insinuations we have faced in the past two months. It has been clearly stated what Serbia needs to do, especially for people with disabilities, which is particularly important to me as president," Vucic explained.

He announced that he would speak more about it on Saturday and that he would continue consultations on forming the government.

"On Monday, I will have consultations with the ruling party. Some have said that they would not come to the consultations, as expected, and as they had always found reasons not to come," the President of Serbia added.

When asked about the demands within the Serbian Progressive Party to form the government in Belgrade and not to go to new elections in the capital, he stated that requests had been sent to the party leader Milos Vucevic from two bodies to talk to him and form the government in Belgrade.

"It will be clearly shown that the Serbian Progressive Party has the majority in Belgrade. So far, I haven't expressed my opinion," Vucic added.

The President also added that tomorrow, upon returning from Tirana, he expected a meeting with the President of the Central African Republic in the afternoon, where he would thank him for his support for the territorial integrity of Serbia.

On Saturday, he will continue consultations, and when he finishes, he will address the people in the party and express his thoughts on this issue.

"Sunday is the deadline for forming the government in Belgrade, and if the government is not formed - there will have to be elections," Vucic added.