"Serbia Is In For A Long Game"
- 29.10.2026, 12:32
Vucic may still try to return to power.
Historic events have unfolded in Serbia: after nearly two years of protests, pro-Russian politician Aleksandar Vučić lost the parliamentary election to the “Student List.” He had maintained close ties with the Kremlin for years, and his defeat calls into question the future of Russian influence in the Balkans.
What does Vučić’s defeat mean for Russia’s policy in the Balkans? The website Charter97.org discussed this with the head of the Ukrainian Institute of World Politics, Yevhen Magda:
— I don’t think Vučić has completely left politics. By conceding defeat even before the official results were announced, he showed that he remains in the game. His list holds more than 40% of the seats in parliament, while the “Student List” received nearly 53% of the vote. In other words, two major political forces—plus the parties representing national minorities, which are elected according to separate lists and rules—have effectively entered parliament.
To be honest, I don’t see any major changes in Serbia’s foreign policy. The “Student List” intends to continue its partnership with Russia, but at the same time says it will move toward the European Union. It’s, you know, a bit of a balancing act: being on good terms with both Russia and the EU. Vucic used to walk that tightrope; now the people who defeated him will be doing it.
I don’t think Serbia will let Kosovo go. In a society where nationalist sentiments run high, that’s simply impossible today.
That’s why Vučić hasn’t disappeared anywhere. He’ll be waiting for an opportunity to return—for example, to become prime minister again after early elections. Serbia continues to play a dominant role on the Balkan Peninsula, so this will be a long game. Vučić is too experienced a politician to simply disappear.
— During the campaign, Vučić claimed that the “Student List” would immediately impose sanctions against Russia. How likely is that?
— The “Student List” has already stated that it has no intention of doing so. That is not their goal.
Their domestic political agenda focuses on fighting corruption and abuse of power, as well as raising living standards. For them, this is far more important. And when it comes to foreign policy, they are in complete agreement with Vučić.
— How might an opposition victory affect support for Ukraine?
— It could have a negative impact. The “Student List” says it will refuse to send ammunition to the combat zone. European Union countries have been purchasing Serbian ammunition and transferring it to Ukraine.
That is precisely why Ukraine has not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence. I think that if ammunition supplies stop, Ukraine might recognize Kosovo. That would be a rather interesting scenario.
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