As one of the few state leaders in the world, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić maintains contact with both Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Following Zelensky's first visit to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Vučić expressed concern that Europe could be on the brink of an even bigger war.
"I believe we are at the beginning of a bigger war. And that's why I was hoping that by now someone else would have done something to establish peace. This has not happened and will not happen soon, which means that we are on the verge of a much, much bigger war," Vučić said on the "MD MEETS" podcast, hosted by Mathias Döpfner, chairman of the board of directors of the German-based media group "Axel Springer".
By hosting the Ukrainian president, Vučić has surprised the international community and provoked harsh criticism in Serbia, which has traditionally taken a pro-Russian stance, but also in Russia. Russian propagandists have accused the Serbian president of betraying the partnership with Russia and of helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia through economic deals. Ukrainian government officials have stated that the visit was an attempt to create a rift between Russia and Serbia, and that it was a “slap in the face to the Russians.”
"I am not here to please the Russians, Ukrainians or anyone else, except the Serbs," Vučić said in the conversation with Döpfner.
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He added that he had not informed Russian leader Putin in advance about Zelensky's visit.
"I have not spoken to him, because I do not inform anyone in advance about my political agenda, as Serbia is not a puppet of any other country in the world," Vučić said.
Speaking about Vladimir Putin, with whom, according to his statements, Vučić has spoken "21 or 22 times", the Serbian president said that "recently I have had less contact with him than before."
The Serbian president assessed that Ukraine "has shown its real ability to defend itself." According to him, Moscow has also lost influence in the region during the course of the war.
"For me it was unimaginable that Russia could lose some influence in both republics of the Caucasus, in Azerbaijan and Armenia... Everyone wants to see the other side lose," he declared.
Vučić has said that the leaderships of Ukraine and Russia are “under great pressure.” Meanwhile, his prediction for war, following Zelensky’s visit, is pessimistic.
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"I don't see the end of the war this year. I don't see the end of the war before next spring either. I'll tell you why: because I believe that one side must be stronger and, one way or another, emerge victorious, in order for the war to end. Otherwise, given the current stalemate, I see no possibility of a compromise solution."
The Serbian head of state has strongly warned against aiming for Russia's defeat and has demanded that everything possible be done to achieve a ceasefire, which Russia, however, categorically opposes.
