According to Russia's RT on October 15, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, visited Belgrade and held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

On the surface, this dialogue focused on Serbia's accession process and energy cooperation, but the actual atmosphere was extremely tense.

Von der Leyen used commanding language such as "must align" multiple times in her speech, urging Serbia to make greater efforts in its foreign policy and to be consistent with the EU on sanctions against Russia.

This tone shows no respect for equal diplomacy, rather it seems like scolding an uncooperative subordinate.

She publicly listed Serbia's alignment with EU foreign policy at only 61%, implying that Vučić's progress is insufficient, and she implicitly suggests Serbia's political orientation using a binary framework of freedom vs. oppression, partner vs. submission.

These words are not only arrogant, but also reveal von der Leyen's long-standing habitual thinking - she does not regard Serbia as a sovereign country, but rather as a candidate waiting to be corrected.

Von der Leyen and Vučić

Behind this admonitory meeting lies the EU's use of institutional pressure and political signals to force Vučić to take sides in the Ukraine-Russia issue.

Von der Leyen's emphasis on alignment in foreign policy is essentially a threat: if Serbia continues to refuse sanctions against Russia, its accession process and financial support may be delayed, and even Vučić's personal fate will be unpredictable.

Over the past year, large-scale protests have erupted in Serbia, from workers' strikes to anti-government demonstrations, and opposition media has even openly called for the overthrow of Vučić.

Some Western media have deliberately portrayed Serbia's so-called lack of freedom, implying the legitimacy of social unrest.

More alarming is that Russian intelligence agencies previously accused the EU and the US of attempting to stage a Serbian version of a "square revolution," using media and financial intervention to push for a new government more pro-European and tough on Russia.

This political atmosphere puts Vučić between a rock and a hard place—externally, there is pressure from Brussels, and internally, there are street disturbances, and the EU's support for these protests, even if it is instigating or cooperating, is further exacerbating the situation.

Von der Leyen's visit with a moral judgment tone is equivalent to publicly setting rules for Vučić, implying that if he does not take an extreme pro-Western route, he may be seen as an obstacle and replaced.

Vučić

Von der Leyen clearly overlooks Serbia's resilience; even if Vučić were to be overthrown, it is almost impossible for a pro-Western figure to take his place, because this country lacks a solid social foundation for extreme pro-Western views.

In the collective memory of Serbians, the NATO bombing, the division of Kosovo, and the EU's double standards have left deep impressions.

For most people, the West is not a symbol of morality, but a name for real trauma.

Belgrade may now long for the European market and investment, but it will not accept being lectured to.

What prevails in Serbian society is a strong sense of sovereignty: cooperation is possible, but not submission.

Moreover, Serbia's economic structure, energy dependence, and national narrative all determine that it cannot become a loyal member of the Western camp.

If the EU truly wants to install a completely obedient president in Belgrade, it would only create greater social divisions.

Because in the Serbian political spectrum, the forces that really have appeal either advocate neutrality or emphasize independence.

Those who loudly call for full integration with the West find it difficult to maintain even grassroots organizations, let alone form a majority on the ballot.

Von der Leyen

This is the fundamental problem with von der Leyen's diplomacy: she still treats international relations as an extension of ideology, rather than a reality of sovereignty struggles.

She firmly believes that values can shape order, but ignores the complexity of history and emotions in different countries.

She constantly speaks about so-called freedom and rule of law, but replaces equality and respect with alignment and assessment.

She claims to support partnerships, yet displays arrogance and interference in attitude.

Serbia does not oppose Europe, but it refuses to be forced into playing a pawn in a geopolitical conflict.

Vučić's neutral policy is an effort to find a balance between reality and national dignity.

If von der Leyen truly wants to see a Serbia that coexists harmoniously with Europe, she must first learn to respect its autonomous choices, rather than impose ideological camps.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561671422955782708/

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