Milanović: 'Wrong, arrogant, and unrealistic moves' define our environment

Speaking at the Municipal Day celebration in Stari Mikanovci, President Zoran Milanović delivered a stark assessment of Croatia's current situation and the broader European landscape. His remarks, as reported by Večernji List, painted a picture of a continent making 'wrong, arrogant, and unrealistic moves' regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Milanović's controversial suggestion that European nations should arm themselves and confront Russia directly, rather than engaging in what he termed 'stupidities' and 'paying the bill' for others' mistakes, underscores a deep skepticism towards current EU foreign policy.

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To je i glavni smisao članstva u EU. U 13 godina od ulaska Hrvatske u EU nitko nije ušao. Naš interes je da se od toga novca koji još uvijek pritječe bolje razvijamo

From a Croatian perspective, Milanović's emphasis on leveraging EU funds for local development is particularly resonant. He highlighted that some regions have achieved remarkable growth through EU financial support and urged the local authorities in Stari Mikanovci to extract every possible euro for their own advancement. This pragmatic approach reflects a national interest in maximizing benefits from EU membership, especially given his assertion that such opportunities might not be available indefinitely. The president’s call for self-sufficiency, particularly in food production, also strikes a chord, as a lack of domestic production could prove 'fatal' in the long run, a sentiment that resonates with national concerns about economic resilience.

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Za svoje potrebe ne proizvodimo dovoljno ničega, a to nije dobro. Dugoročno bi moglo biti i pogibeljno. Za sada nije

Milanović's commentary on the EU's financial commitments to Ukraine, suggesting that Russia will ultimately bear the debt, reveals a critical stance on the economic implications of the ongoing conflict. He warned that leaders making such decisions today might not be accountable tomorrow, yet their actions could jeopardize the nation. This perspective, while critical of EU leadership, also positions Croatia as a nation that must navigate these complex geopolitical and economic currents with caution and a focus on its own strategic interests. The president’s stance, as conveyed by Večernji List, is one of national pragmatism, urging self-reliance and a critical evaluation of international commitments.

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To rade ljudi koji su danas na vlasti, a sutra neće biti, a upropastit će jednu državu koja to nije zaslužila