Serbian President Lauds U.S. Ties Under Trump’s Leadership
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić acknowledges a significant shift in relations between Serbia and the United States during President Donald Trump’s tenure. This change comes in a nation where memories of NATO’s 1999 bombing during the Kosovo conflict are still vivid.
In an exclusive interview, Vučić praised Trump’s approach to the Balkans. He pointed out the administration’s emphasis on economic cooperation instead of political pressure. “President Trump and his team have been very dedicated to the Western Balkans,” Vučić stated, noting that many Serbs perceive Trump’s administration differently than previous U.S. governments. According to Vučić, if surveyed, the preference for Trump over past administrations would be overwhelming among Serbs.
“You wouldn’t believe it,” Vučić said. “It would be 90 to 10 or 95 to 5.”
The transformation in perception is notable in Serbia. Many still associate the U.S. with NATO’s 1999 intervention aimed at halting Serbian forces’ actions against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.
Vučić expressed hope of hosting Trump in Serbia, anticipating a warm reception. “I hope to welcome him,” he mentioned. “There will be more people eager to greet him than he might expect, perhaps hundreds of thousands.”
The enhancing relationship focuses on economic, investment, and technological cooperation, along with shared conservative values. Serbia and the U.S. plan to initiate a strategic dialogue targeting energy, infrastructure, AI, defense cooperation, and investment. Projects being discussed include energy infrastructure, liquefied natural gas, data centers, and advanced computing technologies.
As Serbia aims to become a regional economic hub, Vučić highlighted preparations for Expo 2027 in Belgrade with around 150 participating countries as evidence of Serbia’s expanding international status and economic aspirations.
Vučić referred to the economic growth since he took office. “Our GDP was 32 billion euros when I became the prime minister,” he said. “This year, it’s expected to exceed 100 billion euros, or $120 billion.”
The alliance with Trump stems from the economic normalization agreements between Serbia and Kosovo, brokered by the U.S. Those agreements prioritized infrastructure and investment over the politically sensitive issue of Kosovo’s status. In September 2020, Vučić and Kosovo’s then-Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti signed deals at the White House to enhance economic connectivity.
When asked about recognizing Kosovo’s independence to boost Serbia’s economic future and EU membership prospects, Vučić dismissed the idea. He stressed that improved economic and political ties should precede discussions about political status. “I’m open to talks and compromising solutions,” he stated. “But I wasn’t speaking about recognizing independence.”
Serbia continues to pursue European Union membership while maintaining relations with Russia and China. Vučić discussed the country’s diplomatic approach amid global tensions. He cited his visit to China and Trump’s interactions with Beijing as examples of pragmatic diplomacy. Vučić emphasized that leaders should focus on economic opportunities for their citizens.
“I’m coming from a small country. I was asking for more investments and fighting for the interests of my people,” he remarked.
Regarding global conflicts, Vučić advocated for negotiation over violence, specifically in both Ukraine and the Middle East. He also reiterated Serbia’s support for Israel, a stance increasingly distinct within Europe.
“We are one of the rare European countries that openly supports Israel,” he affirmed.
Vučić voiced concerns about rising antisemitism globally and pledged that Serbia would continue resisting such trends under his leadership. “It does not happen in Serbia, and it won’t as long as I’m the president,” he assured.