Đokić: The government is playing with different powers and trying to be useful to everyone, without siding with any one

Political analyst Aleksandar Đokić has voiced strong criticism of the Serbian government's foreign policy, describing it as a dangerous game of appeasing multiple global powers simultaneously. According to Đokić, this strategy of attempting to please everyone without truly aligning with any single bloc is actively preventing Serbia's advancement as a society and a state.

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The government is playing with different powers and does not allow us to progress as a society and a state.

Đokić highlights a perceived disconnect between the government's public image and the country's economic reality. While Serbia cultivates an image of being a staunch ally of Russia and China, Đokić asserts that the nation's economic well-being is far more dependent on the European Union. This duality, he suggests, is a deliberate political maneuver to maintain flexibility and avoid the constraints of EU accession, which he likens to imposing a "straitjacket of laws."

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It projects an image that we can manage without anyone, when in reality we are more economically dependent on Europe.

The analyst further elaborates on this complex geopolitical positioning by pointing to specific actions. He claims that Serbia provides Russia with significant leeway, not only in security matters but also in circumventing international sanctions. The granting of Serbian citizenship to various Russian tycoons and political figures, coupled with the lucrative export of arms that ultimately find their way to the conflict in Ukraine, are cited as prime examples of this opportunistic policy. Đokić concludes that the government's approach is designed to be beneficial to all parties involved, without committing to any one side.

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It doesn't want to impose any crazy straitjacket of laws on itself where it can't make any sudden moves.

Regarding Serbia's EU aspirations and the situation in Ukraine, Đokić observes that many influential EU member states, such as France, are hesitant to admit a country actively engaged in war. He notes that Ukraine faces similar challenges to Serbia concerning unresolved territorial issues and the uncertain outcome of the war. While Ukraine's population strongly desires EU membership, Đokić perceives a division within Serbia, where the populace may desire the benefits of EU integration but is unwilling to make the necessary compromises for a fully pro-European policy.

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Our government gives Russia maneuverability, not only around security services but also around circumventing sanctions.