Serbian President Aleksamdar Vučić promised in Odessa that Serbia will rebuild the Ukrainian cities that were destroyed by the Russian brothers. "To me, it looks like when a poor person goes to a wedding and orders a song with borrowed money, to give music, to show off. This is how Vučić honors the same, and the question is how he will pay it back," economist Miodrag Zec told "Vreme".
From the beginning war in Ukraine three years ago, Serbian rulers tried to take a neutral role.
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić a little over a month ago he stayed in Moscow at the Victory Parade, and now in Ukraine at the summit of that country and representatives of the countries Southeast Europe.
This is his first visit to Ukraine, and it followed after to Moscow's accusations that Belgrade is sending weapons to the country it is at war with.
Now Vučić offers to help Ukraine in the reconstruction of destroyed cities. He stated that Serbia would like to rebuild one or two cities or some smaller region in Ukraine.
A day later, on June 12, Vučić congratulated the President of that country, Vladimir Putin, on Russia Day, thanking him for his support in preserving Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a letter published by Sputnik, Vučić expressed his belief that friendly relations between the two countries, as well as comprehensive cooperation, will continue to develop successfully in mutual interest and for mutual benefit.
The announcement about the reconstruction of war-torn Ukrainian cities, which is not the first since the war in Ukraine began, has caused numerous reactions.
Let us remind you that in mid-May 2022, less than three months after the guns rattled, when welcoming the then new ambassador of Ukraine in Belgrade, Volodymyr Tolkach, Vučić announced that Serbia would participate in the reconstruction of the cities.
More than three years later, he has now said this to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky,
"Serbia has no money for such help"
Does Serbia have money to rebuild cities in Ukraine?
In short - none. In order for such an announcement to become a reality, Serbia would have to take on additional debt, say economists interviewed by "Vreme".
Looking back on this announcement, the interlocutors of "Vremen" say that it is "pointless" to comment on it.
"It is inconceivable that a man who lives in urban chaos has money to build cities in Ukraine. It is senseless," economist Miodrag Zec told Vreme.
Serbia has experience with the extinction of cities and villages, so "he (Vučić) will use that experience to revive these cities".
"Since he is not rebuilding small towns and villages in Serbia, then let him rebuild Ukraine," adds Zec.
He says that Serbia does not have the money for such help, so it would have to take on additional debt.
"To me, it looks like when a poor person goes to a wedding, and orders a song from borrowed money, to give to the music, to show off. That's how Vučić honors the same, and the question is how he will pay it back," explains Zec vividly.
New money laundering?
Economist Danica Popović believes that Serbia would have to take on additional debt for such assistance.
For her, this kind of announcement is incredible, she believes that it is money laundering.
"The Chinese and various other foreigners are building here, and we are going to build something in Ukraine. I think it is a new scheme for money laundering - for Serbia to be the guarantor that the money will be paid to the builders, for us to receive the money in their name, and later, when nothing is done there, for Serbia to pay for it," Popović believes.
It is about the promise of a new assignment that Vučić needs "in order to eventually be the president of Serbia when it enters the European Union, which will never happen."
What did Zelenski and Vučić say?
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, visited Ukraine for the first time, where he offered help in the reconstruction of cities destroyed by the war at the Ukraine - Southeast Europe summit.
Vučić stated that Serbia would like to rebuild one or two cities or a smaller region in Ukraine.
"I would like to get your support, President Zelensky, in order to choose one or two cities or some smaller region that we can rebuild, and I think it would be something very visible for the people of Ukraine if they receive clear support," Vučić said in his address at the first session of the Ukraine-Southeastern Europe Summit.
Vučić explained that Azerbaijan has already done something like that in Ukraine and that it would be very important when it comes to humanitarian aid and other issues that include political support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.
"What I can say on behalf of my country is that Serbia will continue to firmly adhere to the UN Charter and international public law, which includes the protection of the territorial integrity of countries recognized by the United Nations as the most important principle. We have always advocated this and, as I said, we will be firm in that position and I think that in some way it can be useful for Ukraine as well," Vučić pointed out.
And he celebrated Serbia's "great diplomatic victory", because the Ukrainians did not invite the "fake state of Kosovo" to the summit.
Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the President of Serbia for his initiative to help in the recovery efforts of Ukraine by having Serbia take over the patronage of the reconstruction of several Ukrainian settlements.
As part of the Ukraine - Southeastern Europe Summit, Zelensky said on his Instagram account that it was a "really effective form of cooperation" and added that he was looking forward to positive results.
"This is President Vučić's first visit to Ukraine and it is really important to be here in Ukraine and witness the war firsthand," Zelensky wrote.
He added that Kyiv appreciates Serbia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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