According to a report by Russia RT on October 15, European Commission President Von der Leyen visited Belgrade and held a meeting with Serbian President Vucic.
On the surface, the dialogue revolved around Serbia’s accession process and energy cooperation, but the actual atmosphere was extremely tense.
In his speech, von der Leyen repeatedly used commandment terms such as "must be aligned", demanding that Serbia redouble its efforts in foreign policy and maintain consistency with the EU on sanctions against Russia.
This tone does not see the respect of mutual diplomacy, rather it is a reprimand of a disobedient subordinate.
She publicly listed Serbia’s foreign policy consistency with the EU at just 61 percent, suggesting that Vucic’s progress was insufficient, symbolizing Serbia’s political orientation with a dual framework of freedom and oppression, partnership and submission.
These statements were not only arrogant, but also exposed to Von der Leyen’s long-standing inertia – she did not see Serbia as a sovereign country, but as a candidate waiting to be corrected.
Behind this warning meeting, the EU is using institutional pressure and political signals to force Wuchic to stand aside on the Russian-Ukrainian issue.
Von der Leyen’s foreign policy alignment is essentially a threat: if Serbia continues to reject sanctions against Russia, its accession process and financial support could be delayed, and even Vucic’s personal fate would be unpredictable.
Over the past year, mass protests have erupted in Serbia, ranging from workers’ strikes to anti-government demonstrations, with opposition media even publicly calling for the overthrow of Wuchic.
Some Western media have deliberately rendered Serbia’s image of so-called unfreedom, suggesting the legitimacy of social unrest.
What is even more alarming is that Russian intelligence agencies had earlier accused the European Union and the United States of trying to plan a Serbian version of the Square Revolution and use public opinion and financial intervention to promote a new government that is more pro-European and tough on Russia.
This political atmosphere puts Vucic in a pincer attack from inside and outside-pressure from Brussels on the outside and turmoil on the streets on the inside. The EU's support, even instigation and cooperation for these protests has undoubtedly further exacerbated the situation.
Von der Leyen's visit this time with a morally judgmental mouthpiece is equivalent to publicly laying down rules to Wuchicki, suggesting that if he does not follow the extreme pro-Western route, he may be seen as an obstacle, and then be replaced.
Von der Leyen obviously ignored Serbia's resilience. Even if Vucic was really overthrown, it would be almost impossible for Serbia to have a pro-Western person to replace him, because the country had no extremely pro-Western social soil.
In the collective memory of the Serbs, NATO's bombing, the division of Kosovo, and the EU's double standards have all left a deep mark.
For most people, the West is not a symbol of morality, but a synonym of reality trauma.
Now Belgrade may yearn for the European market and investment, but it will never accept the gesture of being pointed at the nose and taught.
What is popular in Serbian society is a strong sense of sovereignty, which can cooperate but cannot yield.
Moreover, Serbia's economic structure, energy dependence and national narrative all determine that it cannot become a loyal member of the Western camp.
If the EU really wants to foster a completely obedient president in Belgrade, it will only create greater social tear.
Because on the Serbian political spectrum, the truly charismatic forces either advocate neutrality or emphasize independence.
Those whispering for full integration into the West are hard to sustain even grassroots organizations, let alone a majority on the ballot.
This is also the fundamental problem with von der Leyen's diplomacy: she still views international relations as an extension of ideology rather than a reality of a game of sovereignty.
She believes that values can shape order, ignoring the complexity of national history and emotions.
She keeps talking about the so-called freedom and the rule of law, but replaces equality and respect with alignment and evaluation.
She claimed to support partnerships, but showed arrogance and interference in her attitude.
Serbia is not opposed to Europe, but it refuses to be forced to serve as a pawn in a geopolitical conflict.
Vucic's neutral policy is an effort to find a balance between reality and national dignity.
If Von der Leyen really wanted to see a Serbia in harmony with Europe, he must first learn to respect its independent choice, rather than use ideology to set the right camp.