Serbian president cancels meetings in Washington – media
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic abruptly ended a visit to the US on Friday after falling ill, Serbia’s state broadcaster RTS has reported.
Vucic had arrived in Florida on Wednesday for a series of meetings with US political figures and members of the Serbian diaspora. According to RTS, he began feeling unwell on Friday afternoon and sought medical attention. After consulting with doctors, he decided to return to Belgrade. No details about his condition have been released, and his office has not commented on the status of his remaining engagements.
During the trip, Vucic met with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He had also planned to meet with President Donald Trump and other senior Republican officials, though it is unclear whether the meeting with Trump took place.
Richard Grenell, Trump’s envoy for special missions and an envoy for Serbia-Kosovo negotiations during the president’s first term, wished Vucic a speedy recovery in a message posted on social media.
“Sending our best, @avucic. Sorry to miss you but hope all is ok,” he wrote on X.
In March, Vucic said he planned to travel to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations following his US visit. Russia is set to hold a traditional military parade on May 9 marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany.
Vucic’s plans has drawn criticism from the European Union. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos warned last week that his presence in Moscow could impact Serbia’s EU membership bid. Vucic, however, said he would not cancel the trip, noting that a Serbian military unit would participate in the parade.
