Vucic: Strategic dialogue marks a step forward in relations with the United States

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today, following the Bastille Day military parade, that it had been an honor to represent Serbia in Paris, thanking French President Emmanuel Macron for the respect he had shown toward the country. Vucic, however, warned that the announced U.S. tariffs on countries importing Russian oil or gas were a negative development, making the strategic dialogue with the United States, which Serbia will launch on Friday, particularly important as it will provide an opportunity to seek greater understanding for Belgrade's position.

"We had the honor of being represented at today's parade in Paris. I was especially pleased at the end when I saw the Serbian flag, even though we did not participate with our own military contingent, because we are neither part of the Coalition of the Willing, the group of countries advocating robust support for Ukraine, nor members of the European Union or NATO. That is why I would especially like to thank French President Emmanuel Macron for the support and respect he showed toward Serbia. It was a great feeling to be a citizen of Serbia today and to attend the ceremony on the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. I hope we will have the opportunity to reciprocate," Vucic told reporters.

He said he had taken the opportunity to hold a longer conversation with European Council President António Costa, as well as brief talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the presidents of Cyprus and Finland, Nikos Christodoulides and Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"I also briefly exchanged views with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a number of issues, and I am expected to meet with him again in a day's time," Vucic said.

He stressed that the latest announcement regarding the introduction of U.S. tariffs on countries importing Russian gas or oil was bad news.

"That is why I hope that the launch of the strategic dialogue with the United States will give us the opportunity to discuss all these issues, resolve them in a different way, and seek America's understanding for Serbia," Vucic said.

He also pointed to the continuing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and the intensification of the war in Ukraine as additional negative developments.

"The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is causing a dramatic rise in oil prices. Yesterday, oil stood at $78.3 per barrel, this morning it was already $85.4, and it could reach $90 if the conflict continues. Today, the realistic price of diesel in Serbia would be 247 dinars per liter. The state is losing a tremendous amount of money because of this, but I will propose to the Ministry of Finance and the Government of Serbia that excise duties be reduced once again so that we can keep diesel prices at an acceptable level for our citizens and prevent an inflationary spiral. These are the real challenges we are facing," Vucic said.

He also announced that he would attend the Southeast Europe–Ukraine Summit.

"It is good to cooperate. I have attended four such summits so far, but this one will not be easy either, considering the proposed declaration," the Serbian president said.

Vucic noted that he had not attended the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing because he had refused to make Serbia part of it.

"Had I done so, I would probably have been at that meeting alongside Macron and Starmer, who founded that coalition. I am pursuing the policy I promised my people—a policy of military neutrality. I do not want to drag Serbia into military conflicts. I want a Serbia of peace and stability," Vucic stressed.

As he put it, if he had wanted Serbia to join NATO, "it would have been admitted immediately," but the real question was whether that reflected the country's policy.

"We have excellent cooperation with NATO and KFOR, and we will continue to strengthen it, but we want to remain militarily neutral. That is our choice. If anyone wants to change that, they will soon have the opportunity to do so, but then they will also have to allocate enormous resources for arming Ukraine," Vucic emphasized.

He also said that in Paris he had held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Speaking about the strategic dialogue with the United States, Vucic said Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đuric would launch it on Friday in Washington together with Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"There are many important issues, and they are not always easy for us. This dialogue is a significant encouragement for Serbia and reflects the changes that have taken place in the world—not only on the global stage, but also in our region. It is a very important step forward in relations with the United States," Vucic stressed.

He said it was evident that, following the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, that type of understanding had collapsed, giving way to increasingly tougher measures against the Russian Federation.

"The Americans are doing this, but so are the Europeans, and I believe it could lead to further escalation in the future," the Serbian president warned.

He cautioned that the situation was becoming increasingly complex and feared it could deteriorate even further.

For that reason, he said he had instructed his office and the Serbian Government to secure sufficient supplies of diesel fuel and jet fuel, as global availability was limited and serious shortages could arise.

"Day after day, the Ukrainians, together with their Western allies, are destroying one Russian refinery after another, forcing Russia to import diesel. We must also prepare for the coming winter because natural gas has, for the first time, exceeded $610 on global markets. The challenges are mounting and becoming increasingly severe," Vucic said.