Latest news with #AleksandarVučić
Novaya Gazeta Europe
2 days ago
- Politics
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Vučić reaffirms Serbia's support for Kyiv in surprise first Ukraine visit — Novaya Gazeta Europe
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made a surprise first-ever visit to Ukraine for a regional summit on Wednesday, where he reaffirmed his support for the country's territorial integrity but stopped short of signing a declaration condemning Russian aggression. Speaking at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in the port city of Odesa, Vučić suggested Serbia could participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine by rebuilding 'one or two cities or a smaller region' of the country, adding that Belgrade hoped to 'contribute something to the Ukrainian people without grand slogans'. He stressed that Ukraine could count on Serbia's support for its territorial integrity, particularly as Kyiv does not recognise the independence of Kosovo, which declared itself independent from Serbia in 2008 but is not recognised by Belgrade. While representatives of 11 southeastern European countries were invited to Wednesday's summit, officials from Pristina were not, a move Vučić hailed as a 'great gesture' by Ukraine towards Serbia. On the sidelines of the event, Vučić also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the two discussing 'mutual support on the path to the EU, bilateral cooperation, and Ukraine's reconstruction', Zelensky said. The Ukrainian president thanked Vučić for his attendance, saying that it was important for the Serbian leader to 'witness the war firsthand' during his visit and that Kyiv valued Belgrade's 'support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity'. Writing on Instagram, Vučić said he had used his speech at the summit to stress the 'growing need [for Russia and Ukraine] to intensify dialogue and to achieve peace swiftly' and advocate for the 'voice of diplomacy to be heard as loudly as possible'. However, the Serbian president was the only leader in attendance not to sign a declaration condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying that the document's call for further sanctions on Moscow was contrary to Belgrade's position. While Serbia has repeatedly affirmed its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, it shares what many Serbs see as deep historical ties with Russia and has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow, partly due to its continuing dependence on Russian oil and gas.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Thousands set up street blockades in Serbia after arrest of protesters
Thousands of people set up street blockades in Serbia on Sunday, angry over the arrest of anti-government protesters who clashed with police at a massive rally a day earlier calling for snap parliamentary elections. Demonstrators set up metal fences and put garbage containers in various locations across the city, also blocking a key bridge over the Sava River. Elsewhere in Serbia in the city of Novi Sad, protesters pelted the offices of the ruling populist Serbian Progressive Party with eggs. Local media reported that similar protest blockades were organised in other smaller cities as well. The protesters demanded that authorities release dozens of university students and other protesters who were jailed for attacking the police or for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government at a rally on Saturday in Belgrade. Tens of thousands had gathered at that rally. They demanded early elections after months of protesters spurred by a deadly train station awning collapse blamed on government corruption. The anti-corruption protests have been going on for eight months after the deadly collapse of the newly renovated train station canopy in the city of Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Protesters declared the current populist government 'illegitimate' and laid the responsibility for any violence on the government. Clashes with riot police on Saturday erupted after the official part of the rally ended. Police used pepper spray, batons and shields while protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects. Police said on Sunday that 48 officers were injured while 22 protesters sought medical help. Out of 77 people detained, 38 remained in custody Sunday, most of them facing criminal charges, said Interior Minister Ivica Dacic. At least eight more people were detained during the day, the prosecutors said. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić earlier Sunday announced the arrests at a press conference, accusing organizers of the rally of inciting violence and attacks on police, urging legal prosecution. He also criticized "terrorists and those who tried to bring down the state,' singling out University of Belgrade's head dean, Vladan Djokic, who was among the protesters. 'There will be more arrests,' Vučić said. 'Identification of all individuals is underway.' He and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party have rejected calls for early elections, accusing protesters of seeking to incite unrest under foreign influence without providing evidence.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Student-led protesters in Belgrade call for snap elections in Serbia
ADVERTISEMENT Riot police clashed with anti-government student-led demonstrators who rallied in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Saturday to demand early parliamentary elections after nearly eight months of protests. The students have been a key force in driving anti-corruption protests across the nation following the deadly collapse of a newly renovated train station canopy in the city of Novi Sad in November 2024, which killed 16 people. Many Serbians blamed the collapse on alleged government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. The huge crowd chanted 'We want elections!' as they filled the capital's central Slavija Square and several blocks around it, with many unable to reach the venue. Several protesters were handcuffed by police, and an officer was seen injured on the ground during the ongoing street battles. It was unclear whether others were injured. As the protest formally ended, the demonstrators threw eggs, plastic bottles and other objects at riot police who were preventing the crowd from approaching a downtown park. Serbian police said 36,000 people were present at the start of the protest Saturday. An independent monitoring group that records public gatherings said around 140,000 people attended the student-led rally. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have rejected calls for early elections, accusing protesters of seeking to incite unrest under foreign influence without providing evidence. Despite the government's demands for the protests to end, the large turnout at Saturday's rally suggested that public anger persisted. Hours before the student-led rally, the ruling SNS party bused in scores of its own supporters to Belgrade from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts reading: 'We won't give up Serbia.' They were joining a camp of pro-government protesters in central Belgrade, where they have been staying in tents since mid-March. Presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia are scheduled for 2027. Although Vučić and the SNS-led government have repeatedly stated that they want Serbia to join the European Union, Belgrade still maintains good relations with Russia and China.
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Mass Protests Shake Belgrade With Police Intervention
Tens of thousands gathered in Belgrade on Saturday to demand early parliamentary elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vučić's 12‑year hold on power, prompting a heavy police deployment and tense confrontations. Authorities stationed riot police in full gear around government buildings and Parliament, while supporters of the president camped in Pionirski Park, bolstering the political standoff. After the main protest ended at around 22:00 local time, clashes erupted: demonstrators hurled bottles, flares and rocks, and police responded with pepper spray, stun grenades and physical force. Reports indicate dozens of protesters were detained, and six officers along with an unspecified number of civilians sustained injuries. University students, who have sustained the eight-month-long anti-corruption campaign since a fatal roof collapse at Novi Sad railway station, claimed authorities escalated tensions. Protesters released a statement on X, asserting that 'every radicalisation of the situation is [the authorities'] responsibility.' Interior Minister Ivica Dačić defended the deployment as necessary to preserve public order, stating police would 'apply all its powers to repel attacks, and arrest all those who attacked the police.' ADVERTISEMENT President Vučić, whose parliamentary coalition holds 156 of 250 seats, dismissed allegations of corruption and authoritarianism. He accused unnamed foreign actors of orchestrating the unrest and affirmed that those initiating violence 'wanted to topple Serbia', but he vowed they 'failed' and would face justice. Independent monitors estimated around 140,000 participants in the protest, contrasting sharply with the government's figure of 36,000. Demonstrators packed Slavija Square and adjacent streets, chanting 'We want elections!' and confronting lines of riot units. Some masked participants used makeshift shields and flares to push toward the pro-government encampment. The movement's origins trace back to November 2024, when a canopy collapse at Novi Sad station claimed 16 lives. That disaster sparked outrage over alleged state negligence and corruption, galvanising students and civic groups to call for accountability and broader political reform. The protests escalated into university blockades and nationwide demonstrations. Earlier this week, police arrested several individuals—including students and a former war veteran—accusing them of plotting to overthrow the government. Prosecutors alleged weapons were involved. Critics argue these arrests are part of a pre-emptive crackdown intended to intimidate dissenters ahead of Saturday's rally. Political analysts note the protest coincided with St Vitus Day, a symbolic holiday marking Serbia's medieval resistance against Ottoman rule. Choosing the date carries potent historical resonance and appears designed to evoke national unity. The president's supporters, some bussed in from across the country, echoed this theme via their slogans and visible presence.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Anti-government protest in Serbia calls for early elections
Tens of thousands of student-led anti-government demonstrators gathered in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on Saturday, calling for early parliamentary elections after nearly eight months of protests. The students have been a key force in driving anti-corruption protests across the nation following the deadly collapse of a newly renovated train station awning in the city of Novi Sad which killed 16 people. Many Serbians blamed the collapse over alleged government corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects, leading to recurring mass protests. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party have rejected calls for early elections and accused protesters of seeking to incite unrest under foreign influence, without providing evidence. Authorities have responded with pressure on striking universities, opposition groups and independent media in an effort to crack down on the movement. Despite the government crackdown, the large turnout at Saturday's rally suggested sustained public anger. Hours before the student-led rally, Vucic's party bused in scores of its own supporters to Belgrade from other parts of the country, many wearing T-shirts reading: 'We won't give up Serbia.' They were joining a camp of Vucic's loyalists in central Belgrade where they have been staying in tents since mid-March. Presidential and parliamentary elections in Serbia are scheduled for 2027. Though Vučić formally says he wants Serbia to join the European Union, critics say he has stifled democratic freedoms as he strengthened ties with Russia and China.
