Global Tensions Ignite: Former Serbian PM Ana Brnabić Declares 'Serbs Are Not Little Russians'

Serbia is set to host EXPO 2027, an international event that has already garnered participation from 140 countries. Preparations for this major event, alongside the state of the Serbian economy and ongoing EU accession talks, were key topics discussed at a recent conference held in Brussels. High-ranking Serbian officials attended the conference, including Foreign Minister Marko Djurić, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, and the Speaker of the National Assembly, former Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.

During the conference and in an interview with Euronews, Ana Brnabić addressed Serbia's relationship with Ukraine and Russia, particularly refuting accusations regarding an alleged lack of Serbian support for Ukraine. She highlighted that since the onset of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Serbia has provided over €60 million in aid, comprising direct financial and humanitarian assistance, though notably excluding military support. Brnabić specifically mentioned Serbia's crucial role in delivering electrical equipment, generators, and spare parts to Ukraine during the difficult winter months, leveraging their similar power systems. She emphasized that this assistance, often overlooked, particularly in the European Union, fostered a strong bond between the two nations, noting the exceptionally regular communication between Presidents Vučić and Zelenskyy, and similar contacts between herself and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Brnabić also tackled the perception of Serbia as Russia’s “Trojan horse” or a close ally, almost a Russian satellite, considering it an exaggeration. She asserted, "We Serbs are not ‘little Russians’; Serbia is an autonomous, independent and sovereign country with nearly a thousand years of history." While acknowledging traditionally good relations with the Russian Federation, stemming partly from Russia’s condemnation of NATO’s air strikes on Serbia in 1999, she clarified that this relationship is not without friction. Brnabić pointed out that Russia has frequently criticized Serbia for voting at the United Nations to condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine and for the aid and support provided to Ukraine. She suggested that stereotypes often lead people to gloss over certain facts while magnifying others, stressing the importance of communicating the truth more effectively. She concluded that to understand the scale of Serbian support for Ukraine, it is best to consult Ukraine itself, as advised by Serbia's foreign minister.

Furthermore, Ana Brnabić discussed the progress and challenges encountered in Serbia's EU accession talks, expressing frustration over what many Serbs perceive as double standards. She cited the example of implementing ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) recommendations to improve electoral conditions. Serbia is required to implement all these recommendations to open cluster three, despite being technically ready since 2021. In contrast, she noted that other candidate countries with similar ODIHR recommendations have not been required to implement even one, yet have opened all their clusters. Brnabić characterized this as a "double standard that is hard for us to explain to our citizens and it undermines the credibility of the European Union." Despite these challenges, the Belgrade government remains committed to Serbia's place in the EU, vowing to continue fighting and working harder, while emphasizing the importance of presenting not only plans but also concrete results. She acknowledged that the EU, as a club of countries, sets its own standards for entry but expressed a desire for more uniform application of those standards.