Vucic Journeys to China for a Collaborative Talk with Xi and Putin

Serbian President Vucic Arranges Meeting with Xi and Putin

Serbian President Alexander Vucic will travel to China on Tuesday, as announced by his office on Monday. During his visit, Vucic will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and the military parade in Beijing, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan in World War II.

The SCO summit, which Chinese President Xi Jinping is using to criticize the current world order, will end on the day of the military parade. Delegations from around 20 countries, including Iran and North Korea, are expected to attend the summit and the military parade.

Vucic's attendance at the SCO summit and the military parade follows his repeated thanks to Russia for its support against what he describes as an "out-of-control revolution" from abroad. Vucic has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin several times since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The current Serbian government maintains a policy of military neutrality and has no ambitions to join NATO, distinguishing itself from neighboring Western Balkan countries that are NATO members or aspirants. During the Kosovo War, NATO conducted a 78-day bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, which included Serbia, viewed by the Serbian government as a violation of sovereignty. Since then, Serbia has been surrounded by NATO members but seeks to remain non-aligned and criticizes military alliances perceived as against its interests.

Serbia's stance towards NATO aligns with that of Vucic and Xi Jinping, as both leaders share a hostile stance towards the military alliance. A significant portion of Serbia's natural gas imports come from Russia, and Serbia does not support the European sanctions against Moscow.

The anti-corruption protests against Vucic's government have been ongoing in Serbia for ten months, but the trip to China is a testament to the traditionally good relations between Serbia and Russia. Slovakia is the only EU member state expected to be represented at the military parade in the Chinese capital.

Vucic's participation in the military parade in Beijing comes at a time when Serbia is focused on maintaining regional stability while pursuing EU membership but avoiding NATO integration. The Kosovo War intervention by NATO remains a sensitive topic in Serbian politics, and the country's stance towards military alliances is likely to continue to reflect its desire for independence and sovereignty.