Vucic: They attacked me at the meeting in Warsaw, I’m waiting for them to say it to my face

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated this evening that he knows certain European leaders criticized him at the meeting of EU foreign ministers and candidate countries in Warsaw, and that he is waiting for them to say it to his face—but that he will wait for the right moment to respond.

“I saw how much they were attacking me in Warsaw—my friend Xavier Bettel, the Belgians continued, and the greatest power in Europe—Croatia… When Croats attack me hysterically, I’m always satisfied and reminded of the words of Bishop Sergije, who said that when they crucify me, it means I have done something very good for the Serbian people. When I see how hysterical Croatia is… They say it was a debacle that [Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister] Grushko welcomed me… What can I say? There’s no asylum that would take them all together…,” Vucic told reporters after a dinner hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin for leaders attending tomorrow’s Victory Day Parade in Moscow.

He added that when it comes to Europeans, he still has trust in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and in many European leaders, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“Thanks to Giorgia Meloni—the Italian minister in Warsaw was extremely fair,” Vucic added.

He said he is waiting for the opportunity to respond to everyone and hopes his friend, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, will be brave enough to say everything in his presence.

“I know he said that we have good relations, but that this (trip to Moscow) is unacceptable… I’m waiting for him to say that to me on May 16 in Tirana,” said Vucic.

He noted that today was physically difficult for him health-wise, but that he is satisfied with the developments in Moscow.

He said he was pleased with his conversation with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with whom he discussed introducing a direct flight route between Astana and Belgrade—which, he said, would attract investors from Kazakhstan to Serbia.

They also discussed joint production within the defense industry.

“We share many similarities regarding various political challenges, and I’m happy about the good relations with that great country. These are good developments for us, and I am satisfied. But tomorrow is an important day with Xi and Putin. I can only promise that we will fight for the interests of the Serbian people, and to reach the best possible agreement on gas,” Vucic stated.

Tomorrow: First the Victory Parade, then many important talks

Vucic said he had the opportunity to speak with numerous leaders this evening, but that the most important discussions for Serbia will take place tomorrow.

He said he spoke with Dmitry Peskov and briefly with President Putin, who greeted him with “you’ve arrived,” and as he left said, “see you tomorrow, we have an important meeting.”

“This evening I met the President of Brazil, Lula da Silva; had a warm encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom I’ll have serious bilateral talks tomorrow. I also spoke with the President of Egypt, with whom I had a brotherly meeting, and met leaders from countries we don’t often get the chance to see—from the second-ranking official of Nicaragua, whom I thanked for support on the Srebrenica issue at the UN, to Nicolás Maduro,” Vucic said.

He also received good news—that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had landed in Moscow, and expressed hope they would meet either tonight or at the latest, tomorrow.

He noted he had discussions with many African and Asian leaders, especially from Central Asia, as well as the Presidents of Belarus and Cuba, and also from the Republic of Srpska.

“I believe that tomorrow everyone eagerly awaits the Victory Parade. After the parade, the most important meetings await us. In the morning the parade, and afterwards a bilateral meeting with China. It is a great honor for our country that the President of China, during his official visit to Moscow, is taking time for a bilateral meeting with us. We want to thank them for everything China is doing for us,” Vucic said.

He pointed out that in the past three years, the Smederevo steel plant has recorded losses of 330 million euros, but never once asked anything from Serbia or threatened to withdraw, as others might have done.

“All of that is thanks to the friendship with President Xi. The steel mill is currently our second-largest exporter and still employs 5,000 people. I’m almost ashamed to ask for more from Xi. But I will fight for Serbia and ask for additional support for our country. After I finish the meeting with Xi, I will have a one-on-one meeting with Putin, followed by talks between the two delegations. These are very important talks for us,” Vucic added.

He announced that tonight he would also hold discussions with numerous Russian delegations to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting.

President Vucic also congratulated the new Pope Leo XIV on his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

“I congratulate the new Pope and believe we will have equally good cooperation in state-legal matters as we had with Pope Francis,” Vucic concluded.