Vucic: The Patriarch’s letter is important; I am positively surprised by the engagement of the Europeans

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, emphasized that the letter sent by the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Porfirije Peric, to Pope Leo XIV and world statesmen regarding the Law on Foreigners that the Kosovo authorities plan to implement in the coming days is extremely important. He added that Europeans have become very engaged on this issue, which, he said, positively surprised him.

“I believe that the Patriarch’s letter is very important. It is even more comprehensive—only one part of it has been published. It is important that both the Patriarch and our Church have joined this major effort. It is of enormous significance when our Church speaks out in such a manner, because it enjoys great authority and reputation in the world, and Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump always emphasize the desire to protect Christian values. I believe they will read the letter carefully,” Vucic told journalists in Arandjelovac.

He assessed that it is “extremely important” that the letter was sent to the Holy See, noting that he is aware that circles around the Vatican are attempting to change its decision.

Vucic also stressed that it is necessary to wait, adding that discussions with Europeans are still ongoing.

“I must admit that I am positively surprised by the engagement of the Europeans,” Vucic underlined.

Earlier today, Patriarch Porfirije addressed a letter to Pope Leo XIV and world statesmen calling on them to use their authority to urge the authorities in Pristina to suspend the implementation of what he described as an extremely discriminatory Law on Foreigners.

I Still Have Not Heard an Answer—What Is the Purpose of the Military Alliance of Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb?

Commenting on the statement by Andrej Plenkovic that he would “warn partners in NATO” regarding new weapons acquired by the Serbian Armed Forces, Vucic said that he could contact NATO himself, because he is proud of the capabilities of the Serbian army and of the fact that Serbia independently decides how to equip its military. At the same time, he said that he still has not received an answer as to why a military alliance between Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb has been formed.

“I can also contact NATO—why should he? They can see whatever they want; we are proud of it. What am I supposed to do—melt down tanks and destroy the army, as some others did? No, we will have even more missiles of various types. We will continue buying and developing weapons. It has now been shown, in the Gulf, that there is enormous demand for our ‘Pasars’ systems. If we had 5,000 of them, we could have sold them all, because Iranian ‘Shahed’ drones cannot be intercepted even with the most expensive missiles, such as Patriots. We will continue with that,” Vucic said.

He added ironically that in Zagreb they should “take more paper and write to NATO more often.”

“But they do not have to trouble themselves—let them tell me, and I will report it to NATO or whoever they wish. I will say that this is Serbia, which decides for itself what it will have—a free and independent country capable of defending itself. However, I still have not received an answer, except that I heard that the military alliance of Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb is not directed against Serbia. Then what is its purpose and why was it formed?” the President of Serbia stressed.

He added that he has heard everything except an answer to that question.

“If you can explain it to me, it would be very important. Do not tell us fairy tales that it was formed for military-technical cooperation and that they will dance the ‘shota’ together. Why did you form a military alliance? I still have not heard the answer. I heard from Edi Rama that Kosovo is my nightmare. It is indeed—as it would be for every honorable person—so I thank him for that. I am the President of Serbia; what is happening in Kosovo is my nightmare: they are violating international law, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, and the Charter of the United Nations,” Vucic said.

He reiterated that, when all the facts are considered, it is clear that the alliance was formed against Serbia.

“There is no other reason. It is unlikely that it was formed against Austria, North Macedonia or Slovenia. Then tell us so openly instead of remaining silent while pretending that we are naïve and do not understand. And then, out of false diplomatic politeness, we must pretend to be foolish. We are not foolish—we understand what you are doing. And you understand that we will be a hard nut to crack for each of you individually and all of you together. There is no great philosophy here. The answer is that Serbia must remain free, intact, and preserve peace and stability. I am not naïve enough to pretend that I do not understand what is happening, that they are weaving a net around our country. I was not elected to be naïve but to fight for the country and bear all attacks on my shoulders. As for NATO, he can write if he wishes; if he needs help, I can provide additional information. That is not a problem. But this country is not governed by him (Plenkovic) or by NATO, but by the citizens of Serbia,” Vucic concluded.