Vucic: From tomorrow, history will be written differently

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said it is clear that international law and rules no longer exist and that the world is entering an era of uncertainty in which “everyone will chase their own overlord” at the local, regional, and global levels. He stressed that Serbia must maintain good relations with everyone—both the United States and the European Union—while also safeguarding its own interests, because, as he put it, history will be written differently from tomorrow onward. Responding to former U.S. envoy for the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue Richard Grenell, who said that Europe is in trouble and that the Serbian president should follow the American rather than the European path, Vucic said he hopes for talks on a strategic partnership with the United States, but that Serbia remains on the EU path.

Vucic said that the way territories are discussed in the contemporary world has been stripped bare by U.S. President Donald Trump to the point that there is no longer even an attempt to wrap such actions in a “pretty box,” as was done under the pretext of humanitarian catastrophe, such as in Kosovo—when, he said, they lied.

“If you look at international sources and the data of Natasa Kandic, who certainly does not work for her own country, you will see that there is no such large difference in the number of Albanians and Serbs killed, and that it is clear those were untruths directed against Serbia. But a Leibnizian ‘reason’ had to be found to justify the attack on our country. Today, the great powers no longer have time for that. It has become a fashion,” he told RTS.

Vucic noted that Aleksandr Dugin recently said something similar—that small states surrounded by great powers no longer have the right to sovereignty, independence, and self-determination.

“That is how Trump operates as well,” Vucic underscored.

He said that in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump spoke about numbers.

“It is true that the U.S. is growing faster than Europe. Growth in the U.S. is incredible, and it is the growth rate that reduces the debt ratio, which is enormous. Trump rightly pointed that out. That is why we must focus on growth,” Vucic said.

He added that Serbia’s public debt stands at 49.9 percent and has never been lower.

Vucic said Trump presented figures that favor the United States.

“He cited some historical facts and some that you cannot really call that. He called them facts, but I would say they are part of day-to-day politics,” he noted.

Vucic added that it is true the U.S. accounts for 65 percent of NATO funding and has been Europe’s protector.

“When you take everything into account, it is clear that international law and rules no longer exist and that we are entering an era of the unknown, in which everyone will chase their own overlord at the local, regional, and global levels. Appetites are opening up everywhere,” he said.

He noted that the world has never had so many wars and that their number will grow.

“Our task is to maintain good relations with everyone—both the U.S. and the EU—while also looking after and protecting our own interests,” Vucic emphasized.

He said it is absolutely certain that one chapter of history has closed and that from tomorrow history will be written differently.

“What is certain is that Europe and the U.S. will no longer act together—at least not on all issues as they have until now. They will often act separately, and at times even in opposition. For us, this is a lesson, and we must understand it as soon as possible,” Vucic said.

On Grenell’s statement: I hope for talks on a strategic partnership with the U.S., but Serbia is on the European path

Responding to Grenell’s statement that Europe is in trouble and that the Serbian president should follow the American rather than the European path, Vucic reiterated that he hopes for talks on a strategic partnership with the United States, but that Serbia remains on the EU path.

“The American economy is stronger and growing faster, but we are on the European continent, and you cannot show weakness and turn away at the first problem. We will have an expanded session of the Government of Serbia on Saturday to discuss everything that is needed. I believe we will meet two formal U.S. requirements and be able to enter talks on a strategic partnership, but Serbia is on the European path and we have an opportunity to significantly accelerate that path,” Vucic said, adding that he had a good conversation about Serbia’s European path with Commissioner Marta Kos, whose statement Grenell referred to.

Vucic said that although he is not overly optimistic—rather realistic and pragmatic, guided by Serbia’s national and state interests—he nevertheless sees, in difficult times, an opportunity for Serbia to present itself in a different light and secure an even more favorable position internationally, while preserving traditional friendships with China and Russia.

The Serbian president expressed confidence that the conflict in Ukraine would be halted within the next two to three months, though not that a lasting peace would be achieved.

He explained that one of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s conditions is for Ukraine to become a full EU member as of January 1, 2027, to compensate for his concessions. The Union, he added, will have to accommodate this despite internal opposition.

“The European Council meets tomorrow, and judging by what has been heard here in Davos as well, there will be sharp contrasts and the first divisions will become visible. A great deal is breaking overnight,” Vucic observed.

He warned that Europe is now approaching everything differently, because if the U.S. introduces tariffs of 10 percent—and then an additional 25 percent—not a single European car will be sold there.

“Then the economy suffers, recession follows, and that will affect us as well. The situation is complex; we need careful consideration and restraint in harsh rhetoric,” he added.

He said that everything will happen in the world this year.

He recalled that certain military alliances have emerged in the region that are not part of NATO, which is why Serbia must strengthen itself economically.

“These are not easy times. We must be careful, committed, and work to preserve the country, because anything can happen in the world this year. There are no surprises—we must be prepared for everything and act responsibly,” President Vucic said.

Asked whether there is a risk that Serbia could end up on the wrong team in this situation, he replied that Serbia plays on only one team.

“We play on only one team, and our heart beats for only one team—the Serbian team. That will be the case in the future as well,” he stressed.

He announced that Serbia will set five basic goals, with the foremost foreign-policy goal being the preservation of peace and stability.

“We have lost children, soldiers, and civilians in every conflict around the world. We do not have children and people to waste. We must preserve what we have today and see how to improve our economy. Others can solve their problems in their own way, and we will be fair, careful not to harm anyone, but we will also clearly express Serbia’s position,” President Vucic concluded.