Serbian President Vučić: “Everyone Is Preparing for War”
BREAKING NEWS: Serbian President Vučić warns “Everyone Is Preparing for War” Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has issued a stark warning about escalating global and regional instability, declaring that “everyone is preparing for war,” in remarks that have sent shockwaves through Europe and reignited fears of renewed conflict in the Balkans.
“To be completely open, everyone is preparing for war. The only question is which side someone belongs to,” Vučić said during a public address on Saturday, emphasizing that international diplomacy is giving way to military posturing and alliance-building.
The comments came during the inauguration of Serbia’s new high-speed rail link between Belgrade and Subotica. Vučić used the occasion to underline what he described as a “global shift toward confrontation,” warning that nations are “digging trenches and waiting for war” rather than seeking dialogue.
While insisting that Serbia will strive to maintain peace, Vučić acknowledged that the country is boosting its strategic reserves and increasing military preparedness. He reassured citizens there was “no need for panic,” saying, “There will be no buying fuel in cans; citizens need not worry.”
Regional Reactions
The remarks drew immediate criticism from neighboring countries, particularly Kosovo, whose president Vjosa Osmanicondemned Vučić’s statements as “dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.”
“These are reckless calls for war that echo the darkest chapters of our region’s past,” Osmani said, urging the European Union and NATO to respond firmly to what she described as “provocative behavior” by Belgrade.
Analysts warn that the comments could heighten regional tensions at a time when relations between Serbia and Kosovo remain strained, and as the Balkans increasingly feel the impact of broader geopolitical rivalries between Russia, the West, and China.
A Broader Context
Vučić’s warning comes amid rising global insecurity — including the ongoing war in Ukraine, renewed instability in the Middle East, and growing talk of a new era of great-power competition. Serbia, traditionally balancing between Moscow and Brussels, finds itself under pressure to define its strategic orientation.
Regional observers suggest Vučić’s rhetoric serves both as a domestic signal — appealing to nationalist sentiment ahead of potential elections — and as a diplomatic message to foreign partners that Serbia’s allegiance cannot be taken for granted.
Looking Ahead
The European Union has not yet issued an official statement on Vučić’s comments, though officials in Brussels have previously urged Serbia to align more closely with EU foreign policy.
Military analysts are closely watching for any signs of mobilization or defensive deployments in the region, while economists warn that heightened security fears could trigger market volatility and further strain Serbia’s already fragile economy.
For now, Vučić insists Serbia’s goal remains peace — but his warning underscores a darker reality spreading through Europe: the sense that, in his words, “everyone is preparing for war.”