Volodymyr SolovianThe New Geopolitics Research Network brings to your attention an interview with Darko Obradovic, Program Manager of the Center for Strategic Analysis, Serbia.
Scandal related to the activities of the notorious Russian PMC Wagner broke out in Serbia in January. It was reported about the recruitment announcement to the PMC Wagner, distributed by the RT-channel website and local social networks. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called this “…a dishonest practice of recruiting Serbs as volunteers, as it violates the laws of the country”.
Rumors about the activities of the Wagner group in Serbia coincided with the fateful negotiations on the settlement of relations with Kosovo. According to a number of sources, the West may refuse European integration to Serbia and stop investments if the country does not agree to the Franco-German plan to resolve the conflict with Kosovo. On the other hand, according to Serbian media, representatives of the Big Five (Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, USA) told President Vučić during the meeting on 20th of January that if Serbia accepts the European plan for solving the Kosovo issue, it can join the EU in 2030.
In addition, new European and American companies will come to the country, as well as investments in the energy sector. It is clear that the Serbian authorities are facing a difficult choice. Evidence of the tension in the elites is the statement by President Vučić that he does not even rule out his resignation.
To clarify the prospects for the activation of the Wagner group in Serbia and the development of the situation regarding negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, I talked to Darko Obradovic, Program Manager of the Center for Strategic Analysis, Serbia.
– Whether the broad public in Serbia is aware of Wagner PVC possible activities in the Western Balkans?
– How do you assess the probability that the Kremlin will try to influence radical and extremist groups in the region to escalate the conflict between Belgrade and Pristina?
– What should we expect from the dynamics of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo in 2023?
– What is behind President Vučić’s statement on possible resignation?