Vucic: Ready to build a fast road to Kosovska Mitrovica, the U.S. should ensure Pristina does not create obstacles

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, stated today that the country is ready to build a fast road from Raska via Jarinje to Kosovska Mitrovica, expressing hope that the United States will ensure that Pristina does not create obstacles in this regard.

Announcing the signing of a commercial contract with the Chinese company Shandong for the start of construction of the “Vozd Karadjordje” highway—valued at around €1.3 billion—within the next ten days, Vucic also mentioned other planned infrastructure projects, including the Raska–Jarinje–Kosovska Mitrovica fast road.

“Serbia is being built at an incredible pace. We will open the Cacak–Kraljevo section of the Morava Corridor by Vidovdan. It will be fully completed by Vidovdan. Only one section remains—from Vrba to Adran—and from there the fast road should continue toward Bogutovac, Raska and Novi Pazar, and of course toward Jarinje,” Vucic told TV Informer.

He added that he hopes the Americans will be able to reach an agreement with the authorities in Pristina so that the necessary permits can be issued.

“We are ready to finance the construction—it is 45 kilometers of fast road to Kosovska Mitrovica. Leaving aside that this is our country and our people live there, we are paying the full price. We only ask that the Americans ensure that Pristina does not create problems in this regard,” Vucic emphasized.

He added that these are major and important projects for citizens.

“We are demonstrating how strongly we want to fulfill everything we have promised. Funding has been secured for all of this,” the Serbian president said.

He pointed out that the current surge in global oil prices is creating significant problems.

According to him, Serbia will be able for some time to continue intervening to stabilize fuel prices, but no one can sustain such trends indefinitely, especially not in Europe.

“Prices are unimaginably high. I believe they will continue to rise. I fear that no one can endure this, particularly in Europe. It seems to me—and I have spoken about this, and now I see European officials saying the same—that there is a kind of tacit understanding, not formal but implicit, that no one objects to Europe paying the highest price,” Vucic said.

He added that Europe is losing €500 million per day and, in his view, will lose even more.

Announcement of withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany a serious signal

Commenting on reports of a planned withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, Vucic said he had not expected the United States to move so quickly toward confronting Germany and Europe, but stressed that this is a very serious and important signal.

Asked how serious the announcement is, he replied: very serious.

“Stock markets collapse based on a single statement, and this is a real political statement that reflects the state of relations between the two largest Western powers—the United States and Germany. What Friedrich Merz said to Donald Trump, then Trump’s response, and now this announcement… Clearly, interests no longer align, and we have reached a point of no return,” the Serbian president noted.

He stressed that it is important for those relations not to deteriorate further.

“I do not think it would be good for the Serbian economy or politics if those relations were to worsen significantly,” Vucic said.

Situation regarding NIS moving in a positive direction despite challenges

Regarding Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS) and negotiations with the Hungarian side, Vucic said that developments are moving in a positive direction.

“We have once again exchanged so-called shareholders’ documents with the Hungarians, and the Hungarian side is expecting responses from Serbia. On Monday or Tuesday, we will meet with our Hungarian partners and friends, and I hope we will resolve everything soon. It is not entirely simple. Due to various procedures related to the refinery and some previously planned NIS investments in petrochemicals, the Hungarian side wants to secure the best possible agreement for itself. We want to protect Serbia as much as possible, so we are in talks, but I believe we will find common ground and resolve this important issue in these conditions to the satisfaction of Serbian citizens. Despite all the difficulties, things are moving in a good direction,” Vucic said.

He noted, however, that the situation is complicated by the fact that reserves are being increasingly depleted.

“The question is whether we will be able to replenish all reserves in time. We are replenishing them, but at a significant financial cost,” Vucic added.