Ukraine ceasefire or full conflict with Russia: Serb President
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"One scenario is whether the West will go in the direction of a full conflict with Russia since it is not entirely easy to stop the Russian army on the ground," Serb President Aleksandar Vucic said.
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a public address in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Serbia on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024.(AP)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declared on March 15 that the world stands in front of two plausible scenarios, either a full conflict between the West and Russia or a long-term ceasefire in Ukraine.
At a news conference in Belgrade with the President of the German state Bavaria, Markus Sodur, Vucic said, "One scenario is whether the West will go in the direction of a full conflict with Russia since it is not entirely easy to stop the Russian army on the ground."
“And the second is that with the help of the United States of America and China, some kind of long-term truce if not permanent peace, would be established, which would mean a huge relief for the world," he added.
Vucic emphasized that if it heads toward the first scenario, conflict expansion, no one would benefit.
Bavaria and Serbia to strengthen ties
From his end, Soder urged Serbia to join the EU, highlighting it will have Bavaria's support.
''We are strongly advocating for Serbia to join the European Union. It would be a great shame for Europe, but I think also for Serbia if you didn't go that way,'' Soder stressed.
In his opinion, as the most powerful country in the Balkans holding a European tradition, Serbia must be a powerful and good partner.
Soder also revealed that Bavaria will set up a representative office in Belgrade to develop economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between both countries.
In response, Vucic welcomed the cooperation with Bavaria stressing its importance for his country as Bavarian companies employ 25,000 workers in Serbia.
The Serbian President also gave Soder the Serbian State Order, the country’s highest award.
Borrell: Next months decisive for Ukraine-Russia conflict
During a visit to Washington, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell revealed on March 14 that the upcoming months are decisive for the Ukraine-Russia conflict, calling on allies to bolt aid to Kiev.
Borrell's visit to Washington was to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken among other events following his New York visit to direct the UN Security Council.
"It's this spring, this summer before autumn that the war in Ukraine will be decided," Borrell said.
If President Vladimir Putin "wins this war and conquers Ukraine and puts a puppet regime in Kiev -- as the one we already have in Belarus – he will not stop there," Borrell emphasized.
"The next months will be decisive," he stressed, adding that "whatever has to be done, it has to be done quickly."
"Many analysts expect a major Russian offensive this summer, and Ukraine cannot wait until the result of the next US elections," Borrell added then warned "If Putin succeeds, it will have enormous repercussions for America and the system of alliances built around the US and Europe."
In that scenario, "no country could be sure anymore" that the United States would "come to help any ally" under attack, he further stressed.
