Pro-government media in Serbia reported that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic fell ill during his stay in the United States (U.S.)and that, after consultations with doctors, it was decided that he urgently return to Serbia.
Although the media emphasized health reasons for the return, in the previous two days of his stay in Florida Vucic did not manage to realize the announced agenda. Apart from a meeting with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, no other important meetings took place.
According to media reports, Vucic‘s visit to the U.S. was marked as a complete debacle. Namely, the entire Serbian delegation was excluded from participation at the gala dinner organized within the framework of the Republican National Committee, which in diplomatic circles is interpreted as a serious political slap.
Ambitious announcements without backing
Before he traveled to the U.S., Vucic publicly said that he had confirmation for meetings with all important representatives of the Republican Party, including U.S. President Donald Trump. He announced talks on a wide range of topics – from geopolitical circumstances to pressures that Serbia, as he claims, is facing. “Despite the great pressures I am exposed to, I want to present my intentions to Trump,” Vucic stated.
However, none of that was realized. During his entire stay in the U.S., Vucic did not meet with Trump, nor with any significant Republican official.
“He went there to seek support from the U.S. and try to use the gap between the U.S. and Europe in order to get some kind of protection from Trump, especially ahead of the planned visit to Moscow and in the context of internal circumstances in Serbia,” one source said, adding that the planned participation at the gala dinner – was canceled.
In the delegation was also the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs and former ambassador to Washington, Marko Djuric, who also will not attend the event.
Visit reduced to a minimum
Vucic‘s last contacts during his stay in the U.S. were with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, former governor Rod Blagojevich, and several Serbian entrepreneurs from the diaspora. The list of meetings is far below expectations and previous announcements from Belgrade.
Given that the visit ended without any concrete results, the question arises as to how much such an “excursion to the wide world” cost the citizens of Serbia. Vucic traveled to Florida on an ultra-luxurious Falcon 6X jet, whose market value is about 53 million euros.
Independent Member of Parliament and founder of the American-Serbian Association, Zarko Ristic, stated that participation in events such as the Republican National Committee is paid in advance, through so-called contributions.
“Such events are a form of political support and financing, which is legal and common in the U.S. For the specific event, participation was set between 44.000 dollars and 440.000 dollars, depending on the package,” said Ristic.
While in the U.S., Vucic closely followed developments in Serbia via social media. During his absence, mass protests of students and workers were organized in front of the Serbian Government building.
At the same time, in “Caciland” – as Vucic‘s associates call gatherings of his supporters – counter-protests were organized. The president stated that around 15.000 participants were expected in Belgrade, while in Novi Sad there were around 9,000.
“In total, all together, there were 5.673 of them, not counting those in Pionirski Park, who are our political opponents,” said Vucic, adding that many citizens go to the countryside or abroad, and that “yesterday was by far the largest gathering in Caciland.”
He also used the opportunity to call on citizens, especially from the south of Serbia, to come to a large rally in Nis on May 17th, where they will “hear messages from those who want the city to progress and be built.”
Vucic had previously announced a visit to Moscow. During a phone conversation with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, he said that he would visit Moscow on May 9th, on Victory Day over fascism. “My word means something, I haven’t lied to anyone. If something truly extraordinary doesn’t happen, I’m going to Moscow. No one else has to go, I will,” said Vucic, Klix.ba writes.
