Serbia’s foreign policy, like virtually everything else, is run by one man: Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Serbia.
The Government of Serbia is merely a silent observer of diplomatic agreements and business arrangements with certain countries, which is precisely why this policy is marked by improvisation and the personal agenda of the Serbian president.
It should also be added that geopolitical events are viewed through the lens of a single individual, and Serbia’s subsequent foreign policy moves are shaped accordingly. In practice, this means that Aleksandar Vučić assesses global events based on parameters known only to him, and tries to present himself to the public as a man with a crystal ball, like some kind of television prophet who predicts when and where war will break out, who is preparing which move, and who will be against whom and allied with whom. As an illustration of the complete absence of collective analysis, one can cite Vučić’s recent warning to his associates in Serbia, during a foreign visit, not to comment on foreign policy matters until he returned, as they might say something wrong and undermine his foreign policy visions.
Jakšić: Vučić’s megalomaniac ambitions
If, therefore, only one man is handling Serbia’s diplomacy on the global stage, it is not surprising that foreign policy commentator Boško Jakšić assesses the achievements of Serbian foreign policy as a fiasco:
“Aleksandar Vučić still adheres to the ‘four chairs’ foreign policy, which has in the meantime become quite unstable, especially after the war in Ukraine. There is no longer any room for four chairs, but in his megalomaniac ambition, Vučić believes he is a major global player, which has ultimately led to Serbia having no reliable ally either in the East or in the West,” our interlocutor told DW.
Beširi: Modest economic benefits
Serbia has no foreign policy strategy whatsoever, Naim Leo Beširi, director of the Institute for European Affairs, told DW, adding that “this is not accidental”:
“If you have no strategy, it means you are not relying on solid facts, which indicate that the European Union should be the main pillar of foreign policy. This leaves room for Aleksandar Vučić, whom the Serbian government does not constrain in any way in this regard, to engage in sleight-of-hand on the foreign stage and secure only what benefits him personally and the people around him who are becoming enormously wealthy. Foreign policy is shaped by corruption and personal gain rather than by improving the lives of Serbian citizens,” Beširi assessed for DW.
There is no doubt that in recent months the authorities have been conducting an intensive foreign policy campaign, but it too is shrouded in mystery.
In addition to President Vučić, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has somewhat joined the campaign, and as usual, apart from phrases about strategic partnerships and vaguely defined business ventures, it remains unclear whether any significant deals were agreed there, or whether allies were being sought in the fight against a so-called colour revolution. It would seem that Serbia is ready to cooperate with everyone except the countries of the European Union, whose membership it at least declaratively supports.
The outcome of all this is minimal economic benefit for Serbia, emphasises Naim Leo Beširi: “and it usually comes down either to arms sales or offering certain Serbian resources. If you follow the government’s propaganda, you see an almost unbelievable number of strategic partners Serbia supposedly has. The fact that Serbia has not opened certain important chapters with the EU indicates that no one trusts Serbia and that it is not seen as a reliable partner. When relations with the EU become strained, Vučić immediately seeks support in Beijing, and at such moments the EU makes certain concessions to the regime, which I believe is not a good approach by the EU,” Beširi concludes.
Jakšić: What Brussels should understand
The European Union shows an excessive degree of tolerance towards Aleksandar Vučić, emphasises Boško Jakšić, because, in his words, “in Serbia it is portrayed as a centre of conspiracy against the country, as a supporter of a colour revolution, or as a failed project. In this relationship, Vučić returns to his radical roots, and the explanation is simple: he has never spoken about the values of liberal democracy on which the EU is founded. That has never interested him, and that is something someone in Brussels should understand,” Jakšić points out.
The diplomatic routes within Serbia’s current foreign policy campaign show that they mostly involve countries that cannot boast exemplary democratic standards.
Aleksandar Vučić has thus devoted considerable attention to relations with Azerbaijan, flew to the United Arab Emirates in the midst of tensions with Iran, declared Serbia to be Africa’s greatest friend in Europe, and in Britain articles have even appeared praising Vučić’s supposedly wise foreign policy.
In Serbia as well, Vučić’s balancing act across multiple fronts is seen by his supporters as a brilliant foreign policy strategy.
Beširi: “That is war profiteering”
“Like attracts like,” comments Naim Leo Beširi, noting that “this is why Vučić seeks partners among autocratic governments. He has hardly been seen recently in a country governed by the rule of law, and when he does appear, it is effectively because he has bought his presence through unfavourable arrangements for Serbia, as in France, for example. Likewise, in times of armed conflict, he sells weapons to Israel or Ukraine. This is the strategy of someone looking to make a profit; it is war profiteering, which Vučić engaged in in the 1990s and continues to do today. Many will not turn a blind eye to this, and it will cost the citizens of Serbia,” warns the director of the Institute for European Affairs.
Vučić’s list of allies consists of autocrats, populists, nationalists and despots, observes Boško Jakšić. He also notes that “the tensions involving Iran have placed Vučić in yet another uncomfortable position, because considerable effort has been invested in relations with Israel and the United States, which are themselves facing criticism from their allies. I do not believe Trump can be influenced through Israel, as he prefers personal contacts. Vučić speaks of improving relations with the United States, but he himself is responsible for their deterioration. Now he is in a position where he must sit on a small stool and wait to see whether someone in Brussels, Washington or Moscow will take pity and repair the relations with Serbia that he himself has damaged,” Boško Jakšić concludes for DW.
(DW, 25.03.2026)
https://www.dw.com/sr/spoljna-politika-srbije-bez-jasne-strategije/a-76530754