Controversy Surrounds Serbian President Vučić's Visit to the United States
Former ambassador critiques the informal nature of the visit and highlights diplomatic protocol violations.
Former Serbian ambassador to Belarus, Đukić, has voiced strong criticism regarding President Aleksandar Vučić's recent visit to the United States, particularly his attendance at a private event coinciding with the Republican National Convention in Miami.
Đukić described the visit as a departure from established diplomatic practices, indicating that Vučić's approach aligns with the goals of the Republican Party in the U.S.
The ambassador underscored that proper protocol necessitates that any visit, even those of a private nature, be communicated to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He stated, 'This is protocol, and it is governed by the Vienna Convention, which applies to all diplomatic passport holders.' He criticized Vučić for bypassing formal channels, explaining that the president's visit was orchestrated through personal or business contacts without the knowledge or involvement of the Foreign Ministry or the U.S. State Department.
Đukić warned that this misstep has detrimental repercussions for both Vučić and Serbia.
He remarked, 'This is an example of how not to conduct diplomacy and should be studied in universities.' He also alluded to Vučić’s upcoming visit to Moscow on May 9, suggesting that if health considerations are the sole reason for any alteration in plans, the trip will proceed as intended.
He emphasized that politically, Vučić is likely to seek to balance relations between Washington, Moscow, and Brussels, confirming that his stance is unlikely to shift away from Moscow despite any expectations to the contrary from European officials.
'He cannot afford to distance himself from Moscow due to reasons of security, energy needs, personal relationships, and spiritual ties,' Đukić noted, suggesting that Vučić's domestic support relies heavily on maintaining ties with Russia, a fact that Brussels may not fully comprehend.
In a brief statement regarding the interrupted visit, Dragan Šutanovac, Serbia's new ambassador to the U.S., addressed the situation on Instagram.
He shared a photo of a report from an American portal, stating, 'Officially, conspiracy theories debunked.' This reference relates to a statement from Karlin Livit, a spokesperson for the U.S. president, who denied that White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles had obstructed Vučić's entry into the presidential complex in Florida.
Đukić described the visit as a departure from established diplomatic practices, indicating that Vučić's approach aligns with the goals of the Republican Party in the U.S.
The ambassador underscored that proper protocol necessitates that any visit, even those of a private nature, be communicated to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He stated, 'This is protocol, and it is governed by the Vienna Convention, which applies to all diplomatic passport holders.' He criticized Vučić for bypassing formal channels, explaining that the president's visit was orchestrated through personal or business contacts without the knowledge or involvement of the Foreign Ministry or the U.S. State Department.
Đukić warned that this misstep has detrimental repercussions for both Vučić and Serbia.
He remarked, 'This is an example of how not to conduct diplomacy and should be studied in universities.' He also alluded to Vučić’s upcoming visit to Moscow on May 9, suggesting that if health considerations are the sole reason for any alteration in plans, the trip will proceed as intended.
He emphasized that politically, Vučić is likely to seek to balance relations between Washington, Moscow, and Brussels, confirming that his stance is unlikely to shift away from Moscow despite any expectations to the contrary from European officials.
'He cannot afford to distance himself from Moscow due to reasons of security, energy needs, personal relationships, and spiritual ties,' Đukić noted, suggesting that Vučić's domestic support relies heavily on maintaining ties with Russia, a fact that Brussels may not fully comprehend.
In a brief statement regarding the interrupted visit, Dragan Šutanovac, Serbia's new ambassador to the U.S., addressed the situation on Instagram.
He shared a photo of a report from an American portal, stating, 'Officially, conspiracy theories debunked.' This reference relates to a statement from Karlin Livit, a spokesperson for the U.S. president, who denied that White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles had obstructed Vučić's entry into the presidential complex in Florida.
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