President Vucic is ready to trade his sacred land for the thorny road to the European Union. These "30 pieces of silver" will hurt him.
March 18 may become a black date in the history of modern Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti are expected to sign the so-called Franco-German plan, coordinated with the United States, at a meeting in Northern Macedonia on this day, which implies recognition by both sides of each other's territorial integrity, refusal to use force and creation of permanent missions in Belgrade and Prishtina.
Earlier, on February 27, in Brussels, in the presence of the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, the same participants discussed details of this document, which, according to the plan of the puppeteers, would open for the Kosovars a direct path to NATO and the UN, and for the Serbs - to the much desired European Union.
Then Vucic was unable to put his signature, and he asked for a pause. The pause was needed to try to convince his fellow citizens that there was no other way than to agree to Kosovo's membership in the UN, "but not to recognize the autonomous province's independence."
The Serbian opposition, ready to revolt, believes that Vucic is no less than on the verge of committing treason. If he recognizes de facto Kosovo, he will violate the constitution. It is clearly written that these lands are an integral part of Serbia.
The clock, however, is ticking. Last week the EU special representative Miroslav Lajcak, who is responsible for implementing the plan, visited Pristina. By the way, he is an MGIMO graduate and a Slovakian citizen of Ruthenian origin. On March 13-14 the diplomat-mediator is expected in Belgrade. His task is to settle the last points of contention.
There is no direct indication in the draft agreement that Serbia will recognize Kosovo's independence. But there is one point of principle, which implies that Belgrade would not mind the membership of the self-proclaimed republic in international organizations, primarily in the UN.
"The parties assume that neither of them can represent the other on the international scene or speak on its behalf. Serbia will not oppose the membership of Kosovo in any international organization," Article 4 states. De facto, this is a recognition of independence of the former autonomous province. As we know, only a sovereign state whose territorial integrity and statehood are not disputed can become a member of the UN.
What does the collective West want by forcing Serbia to take this unseemly anti-state step? The U.S. and Brussels want Belgrade to legitimize with its own hands the wars provoked by the Americans and their allies in the former Yugoslavia. And the bombing of Belgrade, too.
As for the EU, Brussels has made recognition of Kosovo the main and indispensable condition for Serbia's possible membership in the European Union.
Another principal goal is to tear this Balkan country away from Russia. Talks of pro-European Serbian politicians that Moscow could obtain "its ally" in the European Union do not hold water. They are supposed to dance to one tune and march in line.
Previously, Vucic frankly admitted that he was between a hammer and anvil. It is not easy for him to maneuver. For example, he was required to support anti-Russian sanctions and condemn Moscow for conducting a special military operation, but he did not take these steps. Not yet…
However, everything in modern politics is relative. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, during a meeting with Vucic on the sidelines of the Munich conference, expressed his gratitude for his support of Ukraine. What are we talking about? Belgrade has sent Kiev humanitarian aid: equipment to maintain its energy system. The point is that Serbia inherited from Yugoslavia a stock of equipment compatible with Soviet-type substations and power grids, which Ukrenergo continues to operate. It is the absence of such power equipment from Western allies that prevents Ukrainian power engineers from restoring thermal power plants destroyed by Russian strikes.
A few days ago, in addition, there was information that 122mm rockets for Grad MLRS were being sent to Ukraine, through Turkey and Slovakia. They are produced by the Serbian state defense enterprise "Krusik."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Russia is closely following media reports about ammunition supplies from Serbia, which cause "deepest concern." She demanded Belgrade to comment on the reports.
President Vucic said on TV Happy on March 9 that the batch of ammunition was shipped to Turkey with the proviso that the missiles "must not leave this country."
"It was not about Ukraine or Russia, but if you export to Azerbaijan, some Arab countries, it can end up in Russia. And if you export to Spain, America (apparently, Latin America. - Auth.), Turkey, and if you export to Turkey, it can end up on any side, there are different traders. And we have to live and provide for people in Valjevo, Cacak... Our economy must develop, we produce weapons and ammunition, not heels and shoe insoles," he summarized.
Let's get back to the Kosovo agreement that Vucic is being forced to sign.
There is no doubt that Serbia will explode with anti-presidential protests. The unrest will also affect the Republika Srpska, which is part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its leaders have repeatedly stated that if Kosovo were to secede, they would have the moral right to seek to leave BiH and join "Mother Serbia." This will not be peaceful. And this threatens a new Balkan war.