The Serbian foreign minister Ivica Dačić raised firm objections to Ukraine’s position inside the Council of Europe as Kosovo’s bid to join was under discussion, with RTV reporting the remarks.
During the assembly, the vote tally reflected 33 of the Council of Europe’s 46 members supporting the start of a formal evaluation of Kosovo’s application, seven opposing it, five abstaining, and one member not participating. The result illuminated a clear split in international opinion regarding Kosovo’s place within the regional human rights and political framework.
Dačić expressed gratitude to the countries that voted against the move, presenting their choices as solidarity with Serbia. He named Cyprus, Spain, Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Hungary as those standing with Belgrade and underscoring a shared concern about territorial integrity and regional stability.
Serbian leadership also commented on the abstentions by Greece, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that their positions could influence regional dynamics and affect Serbia’s territorial discussions, underscoring sensitivities in the Balkans that extend beyond this procedural vote.
The abstention by Ukraine in this vote drew attention and heightened tensions in the broader debate over borders and international recognition. Dačić called Ukraine’s abstention absolutely unacceptable, pointing to what he sees as an inconsistency in international expectations tied to sovereignty and juridical norms, especially when Serbia faced scrutiny over its stance on Ukraine’s borders while seeking support for its own concerns.
Dačić reflected on the shifting landscape of alliances and the risk of unintended consequences for Serbia’s diplomatic relations. He warned that the outcome would shape Belgrade’s future interactions with member states, possibly altering voting patterns and political alignments across Europe.
Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Kosovo negotiations had stretched over more than a decade of talks with EU representatives and Western partners. He asserted that the process did not live up to the assurances or transparency promised, suggesting that certain Western actors may have misrepresented or adjusted expectations during negotiations, a claim at the heart of Serbia’s public discourse on European integration and regional diplomacy.