Vucic: Osmani may enter the UNGA hall only as a tourist, and that is how it will remain for a long time

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated today, in response to the remarks and messages of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani in New York, that the nervousness of Pristina’s representatives is evident, as they had almost no influence during the UN General Assembly session. He stressed that while Osmani may enter the UN building, she cannot access the main hall except as part of a tourist visit — and, he underlined, this will remain the case for a long time.

“I think they are rather nervous. Apart from attending open receptions, to which anyone can come if they wish — such as President Trump’s, and a few others — they had virtually no access anywhere. If you look at whom we met — Senator Marco Rubio — while he here met only with representatives of three European states. Trump, it seems, only with Zelensky. That is a reflection of their nervousness, because they cannot engage with many; they spoke only with Hanrahan,” Vucic told reporters, responding to Osmani’s claim that Serbia is the main source of instability in the region.

Foreign Minister Marko Djuric added that Osmani had “smuggled herself” into the UN, clarifying that she had been granted an access pass through another country — a matter for which Serbia lodged a note of protest with the United Nations.

“That is why they try to catch someone in the corridors,” Djuric observed.

Vucic reiterated that while Osmani may use such arrangements to enter the building, she cannot set foot in the main General Assembly hall — except in the capacity of a tourist.

“She can do that, pay for a helicopter tour, walk through for an hour, and then be escorted out once the hour is over. And that is how it will remain for many years to come,” the Serbian President remarked firmly.

He nevertheless cautioned that the path ahead will not be easy for Serbia either.

“We will face pressure from many sides, as everyone wants us to take a stand and to be seen as belonging to one camp or another. But we will not dig into their trenches. Our task is to protect our country and our people. Unfortunately, we were champions in the number of wars fought in the 20th century. It is now time for us to protect our people, our children, and our future. That is why we are not rushing into their trenches,” Vucic emphasized.

Candid Meeting with Rubio, Difficult Path Toward Further Deferral of Sanctions on NIS

Commenting on his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vucic said the conversation was frank, open, and substantive, though he acknowledged that it would not be easy for the U.S. to once again postpone sanctions against NIS. He noted that if such a decision were to be taken, it would be precisely because Rubio had carefully listened to his appeals the day before.

He also extended an invitation to the U.S. President to visit Serbia.

“At the meeting with Rubio, the tone was friendly, the conversation was frank, open, and substantive. I officially invited President Trump to visit Serbia. We discussed all the important topics. It was not an easy conversation regarding the sanctions on NIS. I pleaded for an extension of one or two months. If such a decision is made, it will be because Rubio carefully heard my requests yesterday. But one can sense their determination not to relent in implementing sanctions,” Vucic said.

He noted that he would have many more meetings and discussions in New York, adding that the world is moving in a troubling direction and that at the UN General Assembly no one truly comes to listen anymore — everyone simply retreats into their own trenches.

He announced further meetings during the day with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Council of Europe Secretary General Berse, and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Besent, regarding American tariffs on Serbia and possible solutions for the future.

Reflecting on his address before the UN General Assembly, Vucic said he sought to highlight major risks, to speak the truth with courage, but without creating new adversaries for Serbia.

“Our goal is to safeguard stability and peace in our region, especially as this is not going so well in other parts of the world,” the President concluded.