Vučić Fires Back at Croats: 'We Won't Whine, We're Not Asking You for Anything'
Serbian President dismisses accusations from Croatia that he insulted anyone in his speech in Mrkonjić Grad, stating that Serbia will not seek support at any cost.
Serbian President dismisses accusations from Croatia that he insulted anyone in his speech in Mrkonjić Grad, stating that Serbia will not seek support at any cost.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić responded on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, to accusations from Croatia regarding his recent speech in Mrkonjić Grad. In his address, he firmly rejected claims that he insulted anyone, insisting that he was only stating facts.
"As for the Croatian prosecutors and everyone else, I have never seen in my life, after my appearance and my speech in Mrkonjić Grad, in which I did not insult anyone, only stated facts. I did not utter a single ugly word about anyone," Vučić said.
Vučić specifically addressed interpretations of his words about the "second half," which were perceived as a threat in Croatia. "I said that they are dreaming and that many others are dreaming of some second half, and they said: 'Vučić mentioned a second half,' as if we were threatening them," the Serbian president clarified.
In his statement, he linked the reactions from Croatia to the need to divert attention from other topics. "If that's their way of explaining that they didn't kill Siniša Dobrić, a 12-year-old boy, and if that will clear their conscience, I have nothing against it," Vučić added, alluding to the boy's death and claiming that "villains" killed thousands and expelled hundreds of thousands of people.
The key part of Vučić's message concerned Serbia's positioning relative to Croatia and the European integration process. He dismissed the possibility of Serbia seeking support in a way he considers humiliating.
"They expected us to behave like Montenegro, to behave like someone who would whine and seek their help and support. But we stood tall and said: no need. We're not asking you for anything, we're not seeking anything from you," Vučić said. He stressed that Serbia wants good relations but will not change its stance on the past to get the green light for opening clusters and chapters in EU negotiations.
Concluding his address, Vučić invoked the verses of Serbian poet and writer Njegoš, emphasizing the importance of honor. "A man can die once, but honor and shame live forever, so I think nothing is more important than that," Vučić quoted.
He added that he is happiest when his country is underestimated, commenting on the numerous reactions from Croatia: "And everyone was full of it: 'Vučić, Vučić, Vučić.' And that's okay. As they say, 'let's whine.' Let me tell you, I am happiest when they underestimate our country."
