Vucic: We will continue to strengthen our military; Kurti can call our objectives whatever he wants

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated today that Serbia is preserving peace and will continue to strengthen its military, while Albin Kurti can describe those objectives however he wishes.

Commenting on Kurti's claim that Serbia's increasing military capabilities are part of a broader strategy linked to Belgrade's hegemonic objectives in the region, particularly toward Kosovo, Vucic said that Serbia is the one preserving peace.

"Serbia is preserving peace. Had we responded to every one of his provocations, he would have set the region ablaze long ago. We are not allowing that to happen because peace is in Serbia's interest. Not because we do not care about our people—quite the opposite. We care very much. But we make the fastest progress in times of peace," the Serbian president stressed.

He added that Serbia has been producing its own weapons for decades and also purchases some, because no one gives them to Serbia "for free," as they do to Kurti.

"What he gets virtually for free is given to him for hegemonic objectives and the pursuit of an anti-Serbian policy. We will not allow him, or anyone else, to do that. We will continue to strengthen our military, and he can call our objectives whatever he wants," Vucic said.