Serbia Campaigns to ‘Rebuild’ Reputation in the West

Serbia is a “modern” country eager to embrace the West, the Balkan state’s top diplomat told National Review in an interview, as Belgrade endeavors to shake the perception in Western countries that it is a Russian client state.

In a wide-ranging conversation last week at his country’s embassy in Washington, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Serbian foreign minister Marko Ðurić articulated the case for more Serbian engagement with the West — explaining that his country can contribute to regional and global stability. He touted Serbia’s support of Ukraine, including his own recent meeting with his counterpart from Kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba. And he defended his country’s right to continue to seek close ties with Moscow and Beijing as it also pursues an EU-membership path and a strategic dialogue with Washington.

About the Author

Jimmy Quinn

Jimmy Quinn is the former national security correspondent for National Review.

Featured Tags

Serbia is a “modern” country eager to embrace the West, the Balkan state’s top diplomat told National Review in an interview, as Belgrade endeavors to shake the perception in Western countries that it is a Russian client state.

In a wide-ranging conversation last week at his country’s embassy in Washington, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Serbian foreign minister Marko Ðurić articulated the case for more Serbian engagement with the West — explaining that his country can contribute to regional and global stability. He touted Serbia’s support of Ukraine, including his own recent meeting with his counterpart from Kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba. And he defended his country’s right to continue to seek close ties with Moscow and Beijing as it also pursues an EU-membership path and a strategic dialogue with Washington.