The USA, Russia and Serbia - bothsidesism

TLDR

In the article "Serbia is Playing Both Sides," published by American Purpose, Nikola Mikovic examines how Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić skillfully balances Serbia's relationships with the West and Russia to maintain political power. Vučić secures Western support by presenting Serbia as a stabilizing force in the Balkans while appealing to nationalist and pro-Russian sentiments domestically. Western powers tolerate Vučić in exchange for regional stability despite his increasingly authoritarian rule, raising concerns about democratic backsliding in Serbia.

Nikola Mikovic explores how Aleksandar Vučić's leadership is defined by a geopolitical balancing act between Western alliances and Russian influence. Vučić strategically positions Serbia as a necessary partner for maintaining stability in the Balkans, ensuring the continued support of the United States and the European Union despite his government's authoritarian tendencies.
 
Domestically, Vučić uses pro-Russian rhetoric to appeal to Serbia's nationalist base, even as his government quietly aligns with Western policies. Mikovic highlights how Vučić has avoided imposing sanctions on Russia, even though Serbia has supplied €800 million in ammunition to Ukraine and signed the Tirana Declaration, supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity. Additionally, Serbia is moving to nationalize its Russian-owned energy company, NIS, distancing itself from Russia under Western pressure.
 
Despite these actions, Vučić continues publicly supporting Russia, leveraging nationalist narratives to maintain domestic approval. The Kremlin, in turn, tolerates Serbia's quiet shift towards the West, focusing instead on preserving the illusion of alliance for its own strategic narrative. Mikovic also critiques the West for enabling Vučić's authoritarian behavior.
 
The U.S. and EU prioritize stability over democracy, overlooking Serbia's democratic backsliding, corruption, and election irregularities. Western diplomats, like U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill, have praised Serbia's progress despite growing evidence of domestic repression and political manipulation. This reflects a broader pattern where authoritarian leaders in strategically important regions are tolerated to maintain geopolitical balance.
 
The article also discusses how internal tensions are rising within Serbia. A deadly infrastructure collapse in Novi Sad triggered large-scale student protests against government corruption. Vučić dismissed these protests as Western-backed attempts to incite a "color revolution," borrowing from Russian propaganda tactics to delegitimize dissent. Mikovic warns that this balancing act may not be sustainable. Growing domestic unrest and Serbia's deeper integration into Western economic and security frameworks could eventually force Vučić to choose between fully aligning with the West or facing economic and political consequences.
 
 

Concluding Reflections

Nikola Mikovic's analysis in American Purpose reveals how Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić manipulates Serbia's geopolitical position between the West and Russia to consolidate power. His strategy involves outward cooperation with Western powers while nurturing nationalist, pro-Russian sentiments at home. This dual approach allows Vučić to suppress domestic dissent and avoid meaningful democratic reforms, all while securing Western support. Mikovic's article raises important concerns about how Western powers often prioritize short-term stability over democratic integrity, potentially enabling authoritarian leaders like Vučić to entrench their power.
 
 
Source:
Nikola Mikovic, "Serbia is Playing Both Sides," American Purpose, 2024.