BELGRADE, Serbia – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has once again reiterated Serbia's claim over Kosovo during a graduation ceremony for new cadets of the Serbian Armed Forces held at the "General Jovan Mišković" military barracks in Banjica.
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| Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (left) seated with Defense Minister Miloš Vučević (center) and military leadership. Addressing newly commissioned cadets, Vučić reaffirmed Serbia's territorial claims over Kosovo and criticized recent regional defense agreements between Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia. |
"Kosovo is part of our homeland, part of our Serbia, both according to the Constitution and according to God's justice. We must remember and protect that sanctity without attacking anyone and without threatening anyone," Vučić said.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognized by more than 100 countries, including the United States and most European Union member states. Serbia, however, continues to reject Kosovo's independence and considers it part of its sovereign territory.
During his speech, Vučić also criticized the recent defense cooperation agreement between Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia, claiming the trilateral partnership is intended to isolate Serbia in the Western Balkans.
"They are creating alliances against us in the region. We have understood these moves and have begun doing what is necessary," the Serbian president said, adding that Serbia's armed forces must remain prepared for future security challenges.
Vučić called on the new cadets to serve as "guarantors of the security and protection of Serbian citizens" and emphasized that Serbia's military has significantly strengthened its capabilities in recent years through the acquisition of new weapons and military equipment.
The ceremony concluded with Vučić presenting ceremonial officers' swords to the top-performing graduates of the Serbian Military Academy in recognition of their achievements.