Why Vučić willing to risk affairs with the West by appointing a pro-Russian “hawk” to new government?

On 2 May, the National Assembly of Serbia approved a coalition government led by Milos Vucevic. The new government is an opportunity for President Aleksandar Vucic to send certain signals, both externally (to the West and Russia) and internally. Read more about what lies behind the appointment of the new government and what external course it will have to pursue in the article by Yurii Panchenko, the European Pravda editor - Slap for US or policy of compromises?

How will Serbia's course change with the new government? Two politicians sanctioned by the US, Nenad Popovic and Aleksandar Vulin, will serve in the new government. Advertisement:

While Popovic has been nominated for a ministerial post without portfolio, Vulin will hold a more significant position as Deputy Prime Minister. Their powers will be determined separately. Vulin has a reputation as a hawk and perhaps the most pro-Russian politician in the Serbian government.

Is this appointment Serbia's "slap in the face" to the US? His appointment can be seen not so much as an anti-American gesture, but as a result of compromises with the West. Firstly, President Vucic insists that there must be at least one openly pro-Russian politician in the Serbian government.

This is important primarily because pro-Russian sentiments dominate Serbian society. Secondly, Vulin also has a reputation as close and loyal to Vucic. Among other things, it is often mentioned that the wives of the two politicians are close friends.

Alongside these appointments that are unpleasant for Washington, Vucic is making what can be interpreted as a step towards the US. Instead of the openly pro-Russian Ivica Dacic, the former ambassador to the US, Marko Duric, will head Serbian diplomacy. And this is clearly in Vucic's style - an important step towards the US that aims to balance out the scandalous appointments.

The new Prime Minister, Milos Vucevic, confirmed that Serbia's EU accession is still a strategic goal for Belgrade, but this is complicated by the fact that the European path is burdened every year with new demands. The importance of relations with China was separately emphasised. It is planned to adopt a free trade agreement (which may cause a problem for relations with the West, but Vucevic did not want to talk about it).

He also highlighted relations with the US. He is convinced that relations with the most powerful country in the world are of paramount importance and are one of Serbia's biggest interests. And of course, the new government promises to refrain from recognising the independence of Kosovo (opposition to the international recognition of Kosovo is called the biggest challenge of his government), as well as from imposing sanctions against Russia.

"Serbia will not abandon its friendship with Russia and our brotherly Russian people - just as it will not abandon the Ukrainians," he said. According to the opposition's assessments, the new government will be one of the "most reactionary," in which "bad ministers will be replaced by even worse ones." However, the question is still open as to whether the current Serbian government truly demonstrates a final change in Belgrade's course - from the EU to Russia and China.

It it highly likely that this government will be a "government of expectation," whose task will be to buy time and avoid significant steps.

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