186. President Aleksandar Vučić: Russia, China, and How Serbia Could Join the EU

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

Goalhanger

News, Government, Politics

4.6 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 26 April 2026

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

How does President Vučić justify Serbia's geopolitical balancing act between Russia, China, and the European Union? Why does he warn that if the EU further delays enlargement, the United States might seize the opportunity to build its own sphere of influence in Southeastern Europe? Can Serbia join the EU without recognising Kosovo's independence, and what would that mean for Europe's future? Rory and Alastair are joined by Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, to discuss all this and more. __________________ Search IG.com to find out more and/or Look for IG in your app store. __________________ Social Producer: Celine Charles Videographer: James Clayden, Video Editor: Josh Smith, Vasco Andrade Assistant Producer: Daisy Alston-Horne Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Exec Producer: Chris Sawyer General Manager: Tom Whiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Thanks for listening to The Restis Politics. Sign up to the Restis Politics Plus. To enjoy ad-free listening, receive a weekly newsletter, join our members chat room and gain early access to live show tickets. Just go to therestispolities.com. That's the rest is politics. Help us understand your position in relation to Russia.
0:17.8	You were presenting yourself as a beacon of democracy. Russia was a beacon of evil, which is not true.
0:23.7	Broadly speaking, we are more democratic than Russia, right?
0:26.3	I mean, the grey and nuances, but Putin is running an autocratic state.
0:30.0	There are different cultures.
0:30.9	There are different traditions.
0:32.2	You were always speaking about Serbia that was a Russian puppet.
0:36.7	We've never said that.
0:38.3	Okay, you're... Never said that.
0:39.3	What does it feel like looking back to the fact that we were enemies and we're now sitting around a table together?
0:45.3	Many people in the world started doing something against sovereign nations and changing borders
0:50.3	because they saw that you were able to change our borders.
0:53.3	We have principles, unlike you, Alistair, from time to time.
0:56.4	This episode is brought you by IG.
1:01.1	If you're listening to this podcast, the chances are you're someone who thinks seriously
1:04.5	about politics, economics and your own financial future.
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1:15.6	And that's where IG comes in.
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	...

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