The U.S. Embassy in Serbia has clarified that the United States plays no role in the decisions made by Serbian authorities, as it responded to questions about the resignation of Aleksandar Vulin, the director of the Serbian Security and Information Agency (BIA).
The embassy stated to Radio Free Europe that its position on Vulin is well-documented, highlighting that he is already subject to American sanctions.
Furthermore, the United States expressed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Serbia, with a focus on European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
On November 3, Vulin announced his irrevocable resignation from the role of BIA director.
He had been under American sanctions since July of the same year due to allegations of corruption, involvement in drug trafficking, and links to Russia.
Vulin’s decision to step down came amid his assertion that both the USA and the EU were pressuring him to resign as a precondition for not imposing sanctions on Serbia. He stated that he did not want to be the cause of blackmail and pressure on Serbia and the Serbian world.
In response, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged that there had been pressure on Vulin since he assumed the position.
Vučić refrained from providing extensive comments, emphasizing his obligation not to speak on these matters but expressing his understanding of Vulin’s response.
Vučić also noted that Vulin was not acting as an agent for any external entity, including Russia.
He expressed his gratitude to Vulin for his contributions in maintaining the stability and independence of the Serbian state.
Aleksandar Vulin has held various political positions over the past decade, including heading the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, as well as roles in defense and internal affairs departments.
Notably, he maintained close ties with Russian officials even after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite Serbia’s candidacy for EU membership, it has refrained from joining the European Union’s sanctions against Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.
Daniel Serwer, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, offered his insights, suggesting that Vulin’s resignation does not signify a shift in Serbia’s policies toward Russia but is primarily an attempt to avoid additional sanctions.
Serwer anticipated that Washington would view Vulin’s resignation positively, while Moscow would likely be displeased.
Regarding the timing of Vulin’s resignation, Serwer pointed out that it took several months, indicating significant resistance from Serbian President Vučić, who shares Vulin’s views and ambition for exerting political control over the Serbian population in neighboring states.
He also suggested that Vučić believes Vulin’s claims that the USA and the EU sought his resignation to avoid imposing sanctions on Serbia.
However, Serwer emphasized that Vulin’s resignation does not imply that Serbia is prepared to make further concessions.
He underscored that Vulin is not the sole issue in Serbia, and President Vučić has shown no remorse for events that transpired on September 24 in north Kosovo.
Serwer also discussed the potential for new demands on Serbia, particularly related to the normalization agreements with Kosovo and the events of September 24.
“On September 24, Serbia attempted a rebellion in Kosovo, aiming to create conditions for the Serbian army’s intervention. In my opinion, Serbia should take responsibility for these developments, apologize, and promise that such a thing will never happen again in the future. It should also hand over the organizers to Kosovo authorities for trial. Serbia has also opposed the normalization agreements with Kosovo in February and March. Washington and Brussels should ask Vučić to sign them. However, of course, he will not do so before the December elections. Perhaps not even after them,” Serwer commented to Radio Free Europe.
Serbia has announced parliamentary and local elections scheduled for December 17.
