The main topic of the article is the end of the traditional friendship between Serbia and Russia due to changes in Serbia’s foreign policy under President Aleksandar Vučić. The Russian intelligence service publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged sale of weapons to Ukraine by Serbia, causing tensions in the bilateral relations. Vučić announced an investigation and warned about possible abuses in arms exports. Analysts believe Vučić tried to balance between Russia and the West but overplayed his hand, leading to a loss of trust from Russia. This development signals the end of the ‘sitting on two chairs’ policy and highlights the complexity of Serbia’s geopolitical relations in the contemporary context.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the geopolitical consequences of Vučić’s balancing act and criticize the risks of Serbia’s ambiguous foreign policy. They highlight the moral and political implications of Serbia’s alleged arms sales to Ukraine and the erosion of trust with Russia, framing it as a failure of Vučić’s diplomacy.
Center: Centrist sources present a balanced view, reporting the facts of the Russian intelligence claims and Vučić’s response. They focus on the complexity of Serbia’s position between East and West and the challenges of maintaining neutrality amid global tensions, without strong judgment.
Right: Right-leaning media tend to defend Vučić’s attempts to maintain Serbia’s sovereignty and strategic interests. They may downplay the Russian accusations or frame them as politically motivated, emphasizing Serbia’s need to navigate a difficult international environment and protect national interests.
