
Serbians march in 4 cities against government pressure and hate speech
BELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands of Serbians marched in four cities on Monday protesting government pressure and hate speech directed at university students and professors behind months of anti-corruption protests shaking populist President Aleksandar Vucic.
The marches were organized a day after a woman attacked a faculty dean in Serbia's south with a knife, which protesters blamed on a hate campaign that they say is fueled by top officials and pro-government media.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Vucic offers to help rebuild Ukrainian cities, reaffirms support for Ukraine's territorial integrity
During his visit to Ukraine on June 11, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said his country is ready to help rebuild one or two Ukrainian cities or regions. The one-day trip marked the Moscow-friendly Serbian leader's first official visit to Ukraine and a significant moment in his efforts to maintain a neutral stance in Russia's war against Ukraine while also advancing Serbia's EU accession aspirations. Speaking at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Vucic said Serbia wants to go beyond political declarations and provide practical assistance to Ukraine. "I would like to take one or two cities or regions that we could rebuild. I think that would be very clear and noticeable to the Ukrainian people," he said. "We are ready to listen to you and see how we can help you." Vucic also reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to international law and the UN Charter, saying that this includes supporting the territorial integrity of states — a message the president described as important for Kyiv. "Ukraine can always count on Serbia's humanitarian and political support for its territorial integrity," he said. "We could be supportive in efforts to achieve a ceasefire." Vucic was one of the few European leaders to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9 — a move that drew criticism from EU officials. Serbian president also told reporters that he did not sign the declaration of the Odesa summit, adding that by doing so, he "did not betray Russia." Tensions between Belgrade and Moscow have risen in recent months after Russia's intelligence services accused Serbian defense firms on May 29 of indirectly supplying weapons to Ukraine. Vucic has denied those claims. Read also: Zelensky urges 'stronger' EU sanctions on Russia, lower oil price cap We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Serbia's Moscow-friendly president visits Ukraine but refuses to sign 'anti-Russian' declaration
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's Russia-friendly leader made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Wednesday for a summit on strengthening European support for Kyiv's fight against Russian aggression, but he refused to sign a joint declaration calling for tougher sanctions against Moscow. It was President Aleksandar Vucic's first visit to Ukraine since taking office over a decade ago. He attended the summit between Ukraine and 12 Southeast European states in Odesa. While saying he wants Serbia to join the European Union, Vucic has maintained close relations with Russia. He defied EU warnings and attended Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. EU officials said it was inappropriate for Vucic to stand side by side with President Vladimir Putin, considering Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Vucic told Serbian media on Wednesday that the signing of the 'anti-Russian' declaration wasn't 'easy and simple for us," and he abstained, noting its mention of sanctions as one reason. 'But I would like to once again express my full gratitude to President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy for the exceptional hospitality here in Odessa," Vucic added. Serbia, which relies almost fully on Russia for its energy supplies, has refused to join Western sanctions on Russia imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though it officially supports Ukraine's territorial integrity. Vucic's visit to Ukraine comes weeks after Russia accused Serbia of exporting arms to Ukraine, calling it a stab in the back by its longtime Balkan ally. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service alleged that the exports were going through NATO intermediaries, 'primarily the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria. Recently, exotic options involving African states have also been used for this purpose.' Serbia has neither admitted nor denied reports that it has been providing ammunition to Ukraine, but it has promised Russia it would open an official investigation into the matter.


Washington Post
5 hours ago
- Washington Post
Serbia's Moscow-friendly president visits Ukraine but refuses to sign 'anti-Russian' declaration
BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia's Russia-friendly leader made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Wednesday for a summit on strengthening European support for Kyiv's fight against Russian aggression, but he refused to sign a joint declaration calling for tougher sanctions against Moscow. It was President Aleksandar Vucic's first visit to Ukraine since taking office over a decade ago. He attended the summit between Ukraine and 12 Southeast European states in Odesa.