Mon Sep 30 02:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Serbian Leader Vučić Plays All Sides, Keeping West, Russia, and China Guessing

**BELGRADE** – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, a master of political maneuvering, continues to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, maintaining strong relationships with both Western powers and countries like Russia and China.

Known for his adeptness at balancing competing interests, Vučić has secured the attention of global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He boasts of a “very good relationship” with the US, describes Biden as “the best-prepared man” he’s dealt with, and maintains a close relationship with Xi, visiting him six times, more than any other European leader.

While committed to Serbia’s EU membership, Vučić has refused to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, a stance that has earned him accusations of being a “Russian puppet.” He denies these allegations, claiming he understands Putin better than any other European leader.

This balancing act is further exemplified by his willingness to sell ammunition to Western countries, knowing that some of it will be sent to Ukraine.

However, Vučić’s success in securing the support of both West and East has come at a cost. Critics accuse him of using the Serbian minority in Kosovo to heighten tensions and of being more interested in garnering international attention than in improving relations with Kosovo.

Domestically, Vučić has faced criticism for his authoritarian tendencies, with concerns that he is positioning Serbia as a protector of Serb populations in neighboring countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Despite these concerns, Vučić remains a popular figure in Serbia. His Serbian Progressive Party currently enjoys a 47 percent approval rating, fueled by the country’s significant lithium reserves.

The discovery of these reserves has attracted interest from international mining companies and car manufacturers, with Germany and the EU securing exclusive access to Serbia’s “white gold.” Vučić’s plan to allow Rio Tinto to extract the lithium has sparked protests, but he insists on moving forward with the project.

With his second term ending in 2027, Vučić’s future remains uncertain. While he claims to be stepping down, his detractors doubt that he will relinquish power so easily.

Read More