EditStrategic dialogue with Washington: a modest step, not a foreign policy U-turn for Serbia
Vučić’s regime celebrates closer ties with the Trump administration while continuing its balancing act between the U.S. and China
Last week’s opening of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Serbia in Washington marks an important step in bilateral relations – the most significant in decades. Yet it is too early to speak of a fundamental turnabout in Serbia’s foreign policy. At best, it represents a small step toward possible change. The regime led by Aleksandar Vučić will continue its familiar balancing act, though in the future it is likely to focus predominantly on two pillars: Washington and Beijing. Managing the rivalry between these two global powers will pose a growing challenge for Belgrade.
Strategic dialogue
After more than a year of unclear signals from Washington and Belgrade’s unsuccessful efforts to establish closer contact with the Trump administration, the two countries launched the Strategic Dialogue on 17 July. This format of cooperation is reserved for states that Washington regards as partners. It is intended to open “a new era” in relations by reviving political ties, attracting more U.S. investment, and expanding cooperation in business, defence, energy and communications technology.
Vucic’s flattery worked: U.S. and Serbia launch strategic dialogue
The new partnership will also bring expectations from the American side, particularly regarding energy, security and Serbia’s attitude toward China.
The Strategic Dialogue will ensure regular communication and provide a platform for deeper cooperation in foreign policy, security, energy, trade, investment, science, education, innovation and high technology. Officials familiar with the process expect energy, security and economic cooperation – longstanding priorities in the bilateral relationship – to feature prominently in the initial discussions.
The launch of the Dialogue is a significant opportunity for Serbia, not least because it grants direct access to decision-makers in Washington. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić described the initiative as a historic watershed in Serbian-American relations. He emphasised that the first round is beginning under the Trump administration, “at a time when Serbia and the U.S. share similar views on numerous key international issues, such as the importance of the sovereignty of states, economic development, and energy security.”
Pro-government media in Belgrade presented the opening in triumphant terms, claiming that Serbia had obtained a status “the kind that not even the former Yugoslavia had.” The event was heavily used for domestic propaganda, with its practical significance exaggerated. While it remains too early to judge the ultimate impact of the process, the Vučić regime can justifiably view the launch as a diplomatic success and a welcome political gift ahead of upcoming elections.
Energy, security and telecommunications
The first round of talks already produced concrete results: a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in energy infrastructure and regional energy security, and another on the Fulbright academic exchange programme. The day before, Serbia joined NASA’s Artemis space programme, becoming part of a global initiative for peaceful space exploration.
Energy is expected to be one of the most important themes. The United States has substantial interests in the region’s energy sector and is expected to participate in the construction of the Djerdap 3 pumped-storage hydropower plant on the Danube. The project, to be developed in coordination with Romania, would strengthen Serbia’s energy diversification – a strategic necessity after years of heavy reliance on Russia. Washington formally joined the project after Serbia and the U.S. signed an energy cooperation agreement in 2024.
Security and defence will also feature prominently. The United States wants Serbia to act as a predictable partner and a guarantor of regional stability. Whether this will require Belgrade to adjust its relations with Russia and, above all, with China remains an open question. China has become Serbia’s largest weapons supplier – a development viewed unfavourably in Washington. For now the issue may remain in the background because of the Djerdap 3 project, but it is unlikely to disappear permanently.
Serbia has also received a guarantee from the U.S. Export-Import Bank for a USD 50 million loan to state telecom operator Telekom Srbija for the development of a 5G network using reliable suppliers. This will strengthen the security of Serbia’s communications infrastructure. Washington has additionally reaffirmed its commitment to participate in Expo 2027 in Belgrade.
Energy diversification would reduce Serbia’s dependence on Russia, while 5G development is expected to favour U.S. companies over China’s Huawei. Some observers therefore see the Strategic Dialogue as a revival of the 2020 Washington Agreement, the U.S.-brokered deal between Serbia and Kosovo under which Vučić committed to diversify energy supplies and ban 5G equipment from “unreliable suppliers.” Should this interpretation prove correct, the reactions of Beijing and Moscow will be closely watched.
Vučić’s satisfaction
At present, Vučić has every reason to be satisfied. The initiation of the Strategic Dialogue is a valuable achievement for his election campaign. Its significance is heightened by the fact that the Trump administration suspended the launch of a similar dialogue with Kosovo indefinitely in September 2025, citing Pristina’s failure to fulfil obligations toward the Kosovo Serb community.
Vučić’s recent statements reveal a clear preference for close relations with both the United States and China – the world’s two leading powers. This orientation has become more pronounced since Trump’s return to the White House. Unlike the previous U.S. administration and the European Union, the Trump team shows little interest in Serbia’s internal political situation or the authorities’ treatment of the opposition. Facing mounting EU criticism over the rule of law, electoral conditions, media freedom and the absence of sanctions against Russia, Vučić has turned toward Washington, which prioritises business over democracy.
In recent months he has increasingly suggested that Serbia does not necessarily need EU membership as long as it achieves satisfactory economic growth. He appears to be betting that U.S. and EU interests in the region will diverge, and he has already chosen his preferred partner. This reinforces long-standing assessments that Vučić seeks to keep Serbia on the European path only for the benefits it provides, without genuine commitment to membership.
His carefully calibrated visit to Kyiv last week for the fifth Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit further illustrates the balancing act. It was Vučić’s first trip to the Ukrainian capital since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. While taking a diplomatic step toward Kyiv, he was the only participant who declined to sign the joint declaration pledging continued support for Ukraine and intensified pressure on Russia. He also refrained from paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers or attending the ceremony honouring European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the mothers of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war. In this way he managed to offer something to Kyiv, Moscow, Brussels and Washington simultaneously.
The article by EUalive’s partner BETA can be found here.
Caption: Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Đurić announces the launch of the Serbia-U.S. Strategic Dialogue with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau [@markodjuric on X]
Updated: July 23, 2026 - 08:23
