Vučić said the world is entering a period marked by the collapse of the established international order.
Serbia will double its military capabilities over the next year and a half, with the exception of personnel numbers, which are set to increase by around 30 percent, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said after a meeting of the National Security Council, BGNES reported.
The session focused on three main issues: regional military and political security in light of developments in Europe and globally, Serbia’s energy security, and the U.S. operation on Venezuelan territory.
Vučić said the world is entering a period marked by the collapse of the established international order. He argued that the old global system is breaking down, rules no longer apply, and international public law is effectively non-functional, with the UN Charter existing “only on paper.” According to him, this has become fully evident following the U.S. operation in Venezuela.
The Serbian president stressed that Belgrade is particularly concerned about the “arming of Pristina.” He said this is being carried out in violation of the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which, in his words, has been suspended de facto by major Western powers and certain regional actors, including Turkey. Vučić claimed that a newly formed alliance between Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb poses a serious threat to Serbia’s security, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
He said Serbia is preparing to defend itself against those who are “now issuing threats openly.” Vučić announced that the ranks of special forces will be expanded and that “everything else” in terms of military capabilities will be increased by 100 percent, partly through domestic resources and partly through foreign procurement. He described this as the only reliable way to protect the state and an effective deterrent.
“We must rely on ourselves. If someone from the region moves against us, no one will help us except ourselves. This is not about an attack by the United States or other major global powers – regional actors do not act independently, but on someone else’s orders,” Vučić said, adding that peace will be preserved, but “peace will be safeguarded by strength.”
He also addressed global energy competition, saying the United States will seek to push out competing countries everywhere, including in Serbia. Vučić said U.S. President Donald Trump has created a special structure for U.S. dominance in global energy, operating within the White House, aimed at sidelining competitors such as China and Russia.
In this context, Vučić announced that Serbia expects the first 85,000 tonnes of crude oil to arrive by January 15 at the latest. He said the Pančevo refinery should resume operations on January 17 or 18, with the production of petroleum products starting on January 25 or 26. He called on the Russian and Hungarian sides to reach an agreement as soon as possible on the purchase and sale contract for Serbia’s oil company NIS, in order for the country to exit the U.S. sanctions regime.
Commenting on criticism from political opponents, Vučić said their statements should be viewed “through the prism of self-projection,” arguing that they always speak about themselves and how they would act.
“They say: ‘You probably love yourself more.’ No – I am old enough to love my country, my Serbia, much, much more. This is not a phrase. I live for Serbia. For me, Serbia is everything,” Vučić said.
He added that he is not afraid of opposition figures and expressed confidence that he would win elections in both Niš and Novi Sad, saying people are tired of arrogance and pressure. Vučić also mocked claims that he is afraid to walk around Serbian cities, saying he had walked across the entire central square in Niš during a live television broadcast. | BGNES