Serbian ruling party figure warns of ‘anti-Serb alliance’ involving neighbours

A senior figure from Serbia’s ruling party has warned that a supposed military alliance between Croatia, Kosovo and Albania is “directly aimed” at Serbia and could eventually involve Bulgaria, adding to a narrative used in Belgrade to justify continued military expansion.

Vladimir Đukanović, a member of the leadership of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), said the cooperation between Zagreb, Pristina and Tirana represents a direct threat to Serbia and suggested that Sofia might join the initiative depending on future political developments in Bulgaria.

“A military alliance between Zagreb, Pristina and Tirana is directly aimed against Serbia,” Đukanović said, adding that Bulgaria could at some point be included “with its ambitions toward North Macedonia and southeastern Serbia, depending on who is in power in Bulgaria”.

According to the Serbian politician, developments in the region point toward rising tensions that could eventually escalate. “From everything that is being predicted, and from what can already be clearly seen in the behaviour of our neighbours, at some point a conflict will erupt in the Balkans,” he said.

Đukanović made the remarks in an opinion piece published in the Serbian daily Politika, widely considered close to the government. Within the Serbian Progressive Party, he is often viewed as an informal spokesperson for the party’s more hardline faction, and his writings are sometimes interpreted by observers as signals of the direction Belgrade’s official narrative may take in the coming months.

In the article, he argued that the nature of the alleged alliance was “clear as daylight” and linked the issue to broader geopolitical tensions between Russia and the European Union.

“When an open military clash between Russia and the European Union occurs – and it is completely clear that such a clash will inevitably happen – Serbia will be attacked by this alliance and war will become unavoidable,” Đukanović wrote.

He defended Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s policy of strengthening the country’s armed forces, arguing that large investments in military modernisation were essential for national security.

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“That is why Vučić’s principle of arming ourselves to the teeth and investing significant resources in the modernisation of the army is a vital necessity for us,” he said, adding that he did not intend to “frighten anyone”, but simply wanted to face reality.

“The gloves are off, and our chance to preserve peace is measured by how prepared we are for a serious conflict,” Đukanović continued. “The more prepared we are, the greater the chance that we will deter any potential aggressor from attacking us.”

Belgrade has increasingly framed regional defence cooperation initiatives as potential threats to Serbia, particularly when they involve countries with which it has unresolved political disputes, such as Kosovo.

However, the cooperation cited by Serbian officials stems from a declaration signed by Croatia, Albania and Kosovo in Tirana on 18 March 2025. The document established a framework for trilateral cooperation in defence and security but does not constitute a formal military alliance.

The declaration, signed by the defence ministers of the three countries, aims to strengthen defence capabilities through cooperation and coordination, improve responses to regional security threats, and support the development of defence industries and joint technologies.

It also includes provisions for joint military exercises, exchanges of experience, personnel training and education, and efforts to improve interoperability between the armed forces.

The partners also committed to cooperation in addressing hybrid threats, including the exchange of information on cyberattacks, disinformation and other security risks, as well as coordination in responding to non-military crises that could affect regional stability.

The declaration additionally expresses support for closer integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions, including NATO, and backs Kosovo’s participation in programmes such as Partnership for Peace in order to strengthen its ties with the Alliance.

The Bulgarian authorities have repeatedly stated that the country does not intend to participate in military alliances outside NATO.

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Analysts note that Belgrade has repeatedly portrayed regional cooperation among neighbouring states as a potential anti-Serb coalition. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has previously accused Croatia, Albania, Kosovo and Bulgaria of attempting to create such an alliance, and in some statements has also mentioned Slovenia.

For critics, this narrative helps justify Serbia’s plans to build what Vučić has described as the “strongest and most technologically advanced army in its history”. The country has significantly increased defence spending in recent years and invested in new weapons systems.

At the same time, accusations that neighbouring states are forming a hostile military bloc have been widely dismissed by regional observers, who argue that the initiatives cited by Belgrade are primarily diplomatic, economic and security cooperation frameworks linked to EU and NATO structures rather than anti-Serbian military projects.