Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warns that there are only a few months left before a global catastrophe, according to an interview with the Swiss weekly Weltwoche. He stresses the urgency of addressing his concerns about European powers and their approach to the war. Vucic condemns Russia’s intrusion into Ukraine but criticizes the West for its actions against Serbia in the past. He believes that Europe underestimates Putin and that the war could lead to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Vucic dreams of peace and stability for Serbia and opposes future conflicts.
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“We have 3 or 4 months left, maybe less, before the catastrophe.” This dramatic statement comes from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in an interview with the Swiss weekly Weltwoche, available online. Vucic, a controversial figure and former journalist who entered politics young with Milosevic before dissociating, now advocates for Serbia in the EU while maintaining historic ties with Moscow. Despite this, Belgrade signed the anti-Russian declaration at the so-called Lucerne peace conference. It’s not about agreeing with Vucic’s positions but listening to what he passionately shares about the statements of other European leaders: “The train has left the station and no one can stop it… unless the great powers do something.” His perspective comes from a country attacked by NATO since 1999: “I condemn Russia’s intrusion into Ukraine. But what did the Western powers do to Serbia in 1999 and 2008? There are no answers to this question. Putin cited the Kosovo precedent (the massacres used by NATO to justify intervention, as Russia uses those in Donbass, ed): there are no answers to this question either.”
Europe is at a crossroads: “Everyone talks only about war. No one wants peace, which has become a forbidden word. They say we must win to ensure future peace… no one is trying to end the war… The West believes it can easily defeat Putin: they want to wear him down in Ukraine, then they think Russia will no longer exist in its current territory and form, and Putin will be overthrown. But is pressure enough to destroy Russia and overthrow Putin? I don’t think so. I don’t know if the West is overestimating itself, but I believe it is underestimating Russia and Putin. In Europe, everyone acts like great heroes, but they don’t tell their people that they will pay a very high price… They should try to reach a ceasefire and then negotiate for 10, 20, 30, 50 years, no matter how many: they are much better than a single day of harsh fighting like the current ones. NATO and the US cannot afford to lose the war in Ukraine. But Putin also loses everything if he loses the war. Everything is at stake for both sides. So we are approaching the abyss. But this brings us to another question: who is willing to lose 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 million people? Ask yourselves. I don’t want to lose a single man: we won’t participate. Serbia was one of the world champions of war in the 20th century. Now my dream is to maintain peace and stability.” If facts prove him wrong, someone can hold it against him. If they prove him right, no one will be alive to recognize it.
Il Fatto Quotidiano, June 21, 2024