Aleksandar Vučić says Serbia is deepening ties with Washington while balancing relations with Russia. China, standing by Israel and resisting calls to recognize Kosovo.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić says relations between Serbia. the United States have undergone a dramatic transformation under PresidentDonald Trump, a shift he says has changed public perceptions in a country where memories of the 1999 NATO bombing campaign remain deeply rooted.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. Vučić praised Trump's approach tothe Balkans, arguing that the administration's focus on economic cooperation rather than political pressure resonated with many Serbs. "President Trump. his team so far were working very diligently and dedicatedly on the Western Balkans," Vučić said, adding that many Serbs view his administration very differently from previous U.S. governments.
"If you ask people in Serbia just to make a comparison between Clinton. Trump's administration, or Democrats toRepublicans, you wouldn't believe it," Vučić said. "It would be 90 to 10 or 95 to 5."
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Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 21, 2023.(Richard Drew/AP Photo)
The comparison is particularly striking in Serbia, where many still associate the United States withNATO's 1999 bombing campaignduring the Kosovo conflict, launched to stop Serbian forces' crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. which remains one of the most consequential events in modern Serbian history.
Vučić said he recently extended an invitation to Trump to visit Serbia. predicted the American president would receive an enthusiastic welcome.
"I hope that we'll be able to host him," Vučić said. "More people will be ready to greet him. wait for him than he might even expect…I dare to say even more than hundreds of thousands of people."
The Serbian president said the improving relationship between Washington. Belgrade is increasingly centered on economics,investmentand technological cooperation, and mutual conservative values.
According to Vučić, Serbia. the United States are preparing to launch a strategic dialogue that will focus on energy, infrastructure,artificial intelligence, defense cooperation and investment opportunities. Among the projects under discussion areenergy infrastructure, liquefied natural gas cooperation, data centers and advanced computing technologies.
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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić. Kosovo's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti at the White House in Washington, U.S., Sep. 4, 2020.(Leah Millis/Reuters)
The growing relationship comes as Serbia seeks to position itself as a regional economic hub while continuing its long-standing ambition of joining theEuropean Union.
Vučić pointed to preparations for Expo 2027 in Belgrade with nearly 150 participating countries, as evidence of Serbia's growing international profile. economic ambitions.
Vučić, who has served asSerbia's dominant political figuresince becoming prime minister in 2014. president in 2017, pointed to the country's economic growth as evidence of its transformation. "Our GDP was 32 billion (euros) when I became the prime minister," Vučić said. "This year it's going to be over 100 billion euros., which is $120 billion."
President Donald Trump. the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić( Credit: Al Drago for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Mehmet Ali Ozcan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Vučić's relationship with Trump dates back to the president's first term, when the White House brokered a series of economic normalization agreements between Serbia. Kosovo. Rather than focusing first on the politically explosive question of Kosovo's status, the Trump administration emphasized infrastructure projects, transportation links. investment aimed at improving ties between the two sides.
In September 2020, Vučić. then-Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti signed U.S.-brokered economic agreements at the White House that included commitments to expand rail and highway connections and promote investment. Trump described the deal as a breakthrough achieved by focusing on "job creation. economic growth" rather than longstanding political disputes.
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Serbian poster supporting Donald Trump near a portrait of the Serbian former Prime Minister. now president, Aleksandar Vučić in Mitrovica, Kosovo.(Getty Images)
Asked whether he would consider recognizing Kosovo, whichdeclared independence from Serbiain 2008. has been recognized by the United States under President George W. Bush. most European countries, if doing so unlocked Serbia's economic future and accelerated its path toward membership in the European Union, Vučić pushed back on the premise, arguing that economic cooperation and improved relations should come before discussions about political status.
"I'm not saying that I'm ready to violate my constitution… I have always been open to talks or compromising solutions, I have always been open to developing great economic ties. no doubt much better political ties. But I was not speaking about recognition of someone's independence," he said.
While Serbia continues to pursue membership in the European Union, the country has also maintained ties withRussiaand China, a balancing act that has drawn scrutiny amid Russia's war in Ukraine. growing geopolitical tensions worldwide.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić as they meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. U.S., September 23, 2025.(Charly Triballeau/Pool via Reuters)
Asked whether Serbia could continue navigating between East. West in an increasingly divided world or would eventually need to choose a side, Vučić rejected the notion that countries must choose between competing geopolitical camps. Instead. he pointed to both his own visit toChinaand Trump's engagement with Beijing as examples of what he described as pragmatic diplomacy focused on national interests.
"President Trump didn't go there because of his vanity," Vučić said of Trump's visit to China. "He brought with him all the leading people of the United States of America for making better businesses. for earning more money for their companies."
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BELGRADE. SERBIA - FEBRUARY 03: Aleksandar Vučić (L) President of Serbia talks with tennis player Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia after their meeting on February 3, 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia.(Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
Vučić said he adopted a similar approach during his own visit. arguing that leaders should prioritize economic opportunities for their citizens rather than ideological alignments. "I'm coming from a small country. I was asking for more investments and was fighting for the interests of my people," he said.
The Serbian president said the same pragmatic approach should guide efforts toresolve ongoing conflictsin both Ukraine and the Middle East.
"It's always better to have thousands of days of negotiations than one day of war," he said.
Asked about tensions involvingIranand the wider conflict in the Middle East. Vučić reiterated Serbia's support for Israel, a position that increasingly distinguishes Belgrade from some European governments.
"I am the president of the country that is one of the very rare countries in Europe that is not hesitating to cooperate. collaborate with Israel," he said. "And it is proud to say this publicly and openly."
Vučić warned about what he described asrising antisemitismaround the world.
"From time to time, I'm very much afraid to see a lot of antisemitic slogans and antisemitic banners," he said.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (R). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) meet at the Presidential residence ahead of the World Holocaust Forum on January 22, 2020 in Jerusalem.(PhKobi Gideon / GPO / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
"The Serbian president said Serbia has resisted those trends. pledged that it would continue to do so under his leadership."
"It does not happen in Serbia, and it won't happen as long as I'm the president."
Efrat Lachter is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent toefrat.lachter@fox.com.
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