From Brussels to Berlin, a worrying strain of disdain has taken hold. Much of the European establishment views the “America First” philosophy with a mixture of confusion and hostility. The emerging talk of “” on the continent is a polite way of distancing Europe from a Washington that demands results rather than rhetoric.
Serbia, which has long nursed deep-rooted suspicions about the United States, has travelled in the opposite direction. It is the one corner of Europe where affinity for the United States has grown in recent years. This is extraordinary because Serbia has not been, by instinct or history, a pro-American country. The harrowing memory of the 1999 US-led NATO bombings remains a source of agony for millions of Serbians. It was a time of immense suffering, destruction and national trauma. Given this painful past, it is not easy for people to open their hearts to the United States or its leaders.
Today, however, you will seldom find instances of the reflexive anti-Americanism now infecting much of Europe. In fact, in my repeated travels across my country, I have noticed something that is vanishingly rare across our continent: an unapologetic enthusiasm for the leadership of .
My own view of Trump was forged during his first term. The willingness of Trump and his closest aides to hear Serbias position seriously and without prejudice was a refreshing departure from my experiences of the past. I remember meetings at the White House with his inner circle that lasted for hours after difficult negotiations, and yet at no point did I feel that my concerns were dismissed or that I was patronised. The caricature of Trump as an aggressive bully never matched my own experience. He was direct, yes, but he listened carefully, engaged sincerely, and treated Serbia with respect.
For the leader of a small country, that matters more than people in large powers sometimes appreciate. Too often in Brussels, for instance, smaller nations feel they are being hectored rather than heard. I was so struck by Trumps approach that I spoke in public meetings about my respect for him and his core team.
The ability to win over the people in a country such as Serbia is a testament to the sheer force of Trumps personality. He has managed to melt away old suspicions by projecting a different kind of American presence. In a region where some neighbours have chosen to name avenues after American presidents who brought war and chaos to our doorstep, Serbians see something unprecedented in Trump. They see a peacemaker.
This is why the recent, chilling attempt on President Trumps life at the White House Correspondents Dinner was felt so strongly across Serbia. To see a leader targeted for his convictions is a tragedy we understand all too well here. Some put out perfunctory condemnations; the Serbian people radiated a genuine, visceral solidarity.
While Serbia remains committed to securing full membership of the , we do so in the belief that a more resilient Europe is only possible with resolute, sovereign partners. We believe in a Europe that draws strength from its historical alliances. For us, the road to Brussels does not require a detour away from Washington. If anything, we believe Serbias unique relationship with the United States can serve as a vital asset for the entire continents stability and growth.
Elites across the Atlantic have spent years vilifying Trump, but the Serbian people have recognised a kindred spirit. We see a leader who national sovereignty over faceless bureaucracy, who prioritises economic reality over ideological fantasy, and who understands that a nation is defined by its culture, faith, traditions, and heritage.
Serbia is a country that has had to fight repeatedly throughout its history for the right to govern itself and preserve its freedom. During the , we were among the few peoples in occupied Europe to launch a large-scale popular uprising against Nazi occupation. Bec
