Published on: 2026-09-24
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 23, 2026 UN
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, speaking at the general political debates of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, stated that the previous international order “has collapsed,” and the risk of conflicts has become higher than in recent decades. According to him, it is becoming increasingly difficult for small and medium-sized states to make independent decisions, while disagreements among major powers hinder the work of international institutions.
One of the central themes of his speech was the NATO bombings of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999. Vučić emphasized that the decision to use force was not made by either the Security Council or the UN General Assembly. He rejected the justification given at the time for the operation — preventing a humanitarian catastrophe — and stated that NATO’s actions undermined the international order established after World War II. According to the president, the countries that violated the UN Charter in the past are now calling on others to adhere to its principles.
Vučić separately touched upon the issue related to the status of Kosovo. He accused the states that recognized its independence of having a selective approach to territorial integrity, comparing their stance to calls to observe international law in connection with the conflict in Ukraine. The President stated that Serbia will defend its territorial integrity, the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 1244, and thanked the countries that did not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
Speaking about the UN itself, Vučić admitted that the Security Council is often blocked, while other parts of the system face financial difficulties and excessive bureaucracy. “This by no means means that the United Nations is less necessary to us. Perhaps it is more necessary to us than ever before,” he said. Serbia supports UN reform, including expanding the representation of developing countries, especially African ones, in the Security Council, and providing an additional seat to the Eastern European group.
Vučić confirmed that joining the European Union remains a strategic goal for Serbia and proposed gradually opening access to the EU single market and Schengen area for Western Balkan countries even before obtaining membership. At the same time, he emphasized that Belgrade intends to maintain relations with other partners as well, including Russia.
The President of Serbia is convinced that trust in international law and the United Nations can only be restored through consistent fulfillment of undertaken obligations.
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