
Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? issued a clear warning regarding the developing conflict in Ukraine.
In the latest episode of MD MEETS, the podcast hosted by Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner, Vu?i? said:
"I believe we are at the beginning of a great war. And that is why I was hoping that someone else would have done something by now to bring peace."
"That hasn't happened and won't happen anytime soon, which means we're on the brink of a much, much bigger war."
Vu?i?'s reception of the Ukrainian president surprised the international community and caused harsh criticism in traditionally pro-Russian Serbia, as well as in Russia.
Russian propagandists accused him of betraying the partnership with Russia and aiding Ukraine in its war against Russia through economic deals.
While Ukrainian government officials described the visit as an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and Serbia - a "slap in the face to the Russians".
"I'm not here to please Russians, Ukrainians or anyone else - except Serbs," was Vu?i?'s response to these comments.
He said he had not informed Russian leader Putin before Zelenskyy's visit: "I did not speak to him because I do not announce my political agenda to anyone, as Serbia is not a puppet of any other country in the world."
His prognosis for the war, following Zelenskyy's visit, was pessimistic:
“I don’t see an end to the war this year. I don’t see an end to the war before next spring. I’ll tell you why: because I believe that one side must be stronger and victorious – one way or another – for the war to end. Otherwise, given the current stalemate, I see no possibility of a compromise solution.”