Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Newsmax on Friday that his bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this week marked a turning point in U.S.-Serbia relations, launching what he called a "strategic dialogue" of "utmost significance" for his country.
On "American Agenda," Vucic said the discussions will ultimately span political, economic, and energy issues, stressing that for Serbia, deepening ties with the U.S. is crucial.
"We both announced commencement of our strategic dialogue, which will be very important, of an utmost significance for my country," he said. "It means that we will discuss all necessary issues, economic issues, energy issues. We would like to see more U.S. investors in all these sectors in our country."
Vucic said American companies are already playing an increasing role in Serbia, with current projects valued at about $10 billion.
He said he hopes this dialogue will expand opportunities further while navigating difficult political conversations, particularly as Serbia balances its long-standing ties with Russia and its aspirations for closer integration with the West.
Beyond policy matters, Vucic emphasized President Donald Trump's remarkable popularity in Serbia. He said that Trump holds approval ratings exceeding 70% among Serbians, levels unmatched elsewhere in the world.
"Serbia is a country where the president of the United States has the biggest popularity in the entire world," Vucic said. "It's about 70-plus percent. If you can name another country with that level of popularity, just let me know."
While acknowledging that Belgrade and Washington might not agree on every issue, Vucic said the new framework demonstrates Serbia's willingness to engage constructively with the United States.
He underscored his government's commitment to pursuing greater cooperation, particularly in energy security and investment, while navigating the challenges of a turbulent international landscape shaped by Russia's war in Ukraine.
Vucic then shifted to the war in Ukraine, praising Trump's recent efforts to broker dialogue with Russia and warning that continued fighting would be a "lose-lose" for all sides.
Vucic returned repeatedly to the theme of dialogue and the need for leaders to listen if any progress is to be made toward peace in Ukraine.
He said he was encouraged by a recent meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which he described as a moment when the world "was much closer to the end of the war."
The Alaska talks, held in August and widely covered as a high-stakes summit between the leaders, produced no formal ceasefire but were portrayed by some participants as a potentially useful opening for diplomacy.
Vucic blamed what he called immediate political and media attacks on Trump after the Alaska meeting for undermining any chance that momentum would build toward negotiations.
"No, he looked like the strongest person in the world," Vucic said. "It's not a real strength when you force someone to do something. No, you're really strong when you organize something nicely, gently and when you give us peace."
Vucic insisted that constructive, behind-the-scenes diplomacy, not public grandstanding, offers the best hope for ending the bloodshed.
Giving context to Serbia's balancing act, Vucic emphasized Belgrade's historic and cultural ties to Moscow and Kyiv. He said Serbia's aim is to protect national interests while pushing for a negotiated end to the fighting that has devastated parts of Ukraine and strained European security.
Analysts says smaller states in the region face acute pressure to choose sides as sanctions, energy dependency, and regional alliances rearrange the geopolitical map.
Vucic also referenced the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, using the killing to underline what he sees as a corrosive global trend of political polarization and declining civility. He said the reaction to Kirk's death had intensified divisions and made it harder to have reasoned debate.
Coverage of Kirk's fatal shooting and the reactions it provoked at the U.N. and around the world has been extensive; international outlets reported condemnation of the violence and sharp disputes over public responses to the killing.
Vucic framed these developments, the stalled diplomacy on Ukraine, the mixed reception to the Alaska summit, and the spike in political violence as symptoms of a larger breakdown in public discourse.
"Audi alteram partem," he said, invoking the Latin admonition to hear the other side. He argued that without a return to listening and compromise, countries and societies will continue to fragment, and opportunities for peace will be squandered.
Vucic closed by reiterating Serbia's offer to host discussions and by urging world leaders to put human lives above scoring political points.
Whether the Alaska summit will lead to renewed negotiations or a different diplomatic track remains uncertain; as observers noted after the meeting, any progress will depend on sustained, patient diplomacy and willingness from all parties to engage beyond public rhetoric.
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