Serbian President Vucic Pursues Independent Diplomacy Amid Ties to Israel, Russia and US

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters at the UN General Assembly that his country follows an independent foreign-policy, maintaining close ties with Israel while remaining neutral on the Gaza war. He recounted a personal call from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanking Serbia for fast-tracking military supplies after the Oct. 7 attacks, and said he has met leaders from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to discuss energy cooperation.

Vucic acknowledged criticism from Russia for his U.S. contacts but argued Serbia must keep Russian gas and cannot impose sanctions, stressing the need to protect Serbian citizens. He rejected U.S. Representative Joe Wilson’s bipartisan bill to sanction Serbia, defended Serbia’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and condemned what he called double standards over Kosovo’s status. Citing a 4.5 % growth rate and a rise in GDP from $32 billion in 2012 to $100 billion this year, he said Serbia is diversifying partners from China to the Arab world, positioning himself as a modest leader focused on security and progress.