“Kill one Serb, and we will kill a hundred Muslims,” Aleksandar Vucic chillingly declared in July 1995 as the Srebrenica massacre unfolded. Over 8,000 men and boys were systematically executed by the Serbian armed forces under the leadership of Slobodan Milosevic. This genocide, confirmed by the International Court of Justice, saw Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic executing orders with ruthless precision. At the heart of the propaganda machine, justifying these atrocities, was none other than Vucic himself, then a minister under Milosevic.
Fast forward nearly three decades, and the same man— now President of Serbia—remains unapologetic. His pride in the face of such horror is not only disturbing but also a stark reminder of the enduring mindset of a genocide denier.
In a video, Vucic laments his inability to prevent a United Nations General Assembly resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide, exposing his callousness towards the victims and survivors of one of the worst atrocities in modern history.
To endorse 🇷🇺 Kremlin-aligned 🇷🇸 Serbia’s President @AVucic is to endorse genocide, territorial aggression, and the pursuit of Greater Serbia.
— Vudi Xhymshiti (@VudiXhymshiti) May 24, 2024
It betrays justice, human rights, and the memory of thousands of innocent victims.#JusticeForVictims #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/6Kdqu56AtE
The echoes of Serbia’s genocidal campaign reverberate beyond Srebrenica. In the late 1990s, Serbia initiated another genocide in Kosovo. It was halted only by an international humanitarian intervention led by NATO, which was left with no choice but to bomb Milosevic’s genocidal troops. Yet, 25 years after the Kosovo conflict and 30 years after Srebrenica, Serbia’s ambitions remain unchanged. The nation still harbours dreams of a “Greater Serbia,” fuelled by a disturbing alignment with Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.
In September 2022, Serbia signed a foreign policy alignment agreement with Moscow, a move that speaks volumes about its current trajectory. Despite Western nations imposing sanctions on Putin’s war-driven leadership, Vucic’s Belgrade openly embraces the Kremlin. This alignment was further solidified in September 2023, backed by questionable foreign policy decisions from the United States and the European Union, even after Serbia demonstrated its tactics, reminiscent of Moscow’s Crimea annexation, in northern Kosovo territory.
The appeasement of Vucic’s regime by influential figures, such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, through disastrous foreign policy that undermines the US’s staunchest allies, like the Republic of Kosovo, along with the dismissed US Envoy Gabriel Escobar, is nothing short of scandalous. The endorsements from US diplomats, including Belgrade-based Ambassador Christopher Hill, Prishtina-based Ambassador Jeff Hovenier, and State Department Counselor Derek Chollet, who called Serbia a “constructive and pragmatic partner,” are a betrayal to the victims of Serbian aggression. The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, alongside Moscow-educated Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajcak and MEP Viola von Cramon, further exemplify this dangerous appeasement. Their actions, including von Cramon’s harassment of Kosovar law enforcement officers, demonstrate a gross disregard for justice and accountability.
The ramifications of such appeasement extend beyond diplomatic circles, striking at the very heart of human dignity and justice. It is an affront to the memory of those who perished in the genocides of Srebrenica and Kosovo, whose lives were brutally cut short by a regime fuelled by hatred and territorial ambition. The survivors, too, bear the scars of a past that is continually denied and dishonoured by those in power.
To endorse Vucic is to endorse a legacy of genocide, territorial aggression, and an unwavering pursuit of a Greater Serbia. It is a stark betrayal of the principles of justice, human rights, and the memory of thousands of innocent victims. The international community’s failure to hold Vucic accountable is not just a political misstep—it is a moral failing that echoes through the annals of history. The victims of Srebrenica and Kosovo deserve more than our remembrance; they deserve justice, and those who enable their oppressors deserve our scorn.
As we reflect on the legacy of these tragic events, we must also question the integrity of those who turn a blind eye to such atrocities. The Western world, so often the champion of human rights and democratic values, must not falter in the face of political convenience. It is imperative that we uphold the standards of justice and accountability, ensuring that the horrors of the past are neither forgotten nor repeated.
The international community must unite in its condemnation of Vucic and his enablers, rejecting any form of appeasement that legitimises his regime. Only through unwavering commitment to truth and justice can we honour the memories of those who suffered and ensure a future free from the shadows of such dark chapters.
Vudi Xhymshiti, founder and chief editor of The Frontliner Magazine, brings a wealth of experience in reporting on global armed conflicts and political issues. With a background in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism from the University of the Arts London, and studies in Political Science, International Relations, and Diplomacy, Vudi skilfully merges human rights insights with dedicated journalism. His ethical and thoughtful reporting has graced top publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. At The Frontliner, launched in 2023, he explores the profound effects of conflicts on law, human rights, and freedoms, continuing his commitment to impactful storytelling.
