Student List launches diplomatic outreach as analysts urge Serbia to maintain international ties

The meetings have focused primarily on the rule of law and energy security, which the student movement identified as key priorities for Serbia's institutional stability and economic development.

Meetings with US and Russian diplomats

Student List representatives Milena Pisarić, Dejan Radivojević, Dejan Šoškić and Igor Mikitišin, alongside student representatives, met with US Assistant Secretary of State Brendan Hanrahan and US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Alexander Titolo in Belgrade.

Hanrahan congratulated the movement on its electoral success.

Separately, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko met with Dejan Šoškić and Miodrag Krmar to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation. According to the Russian Embassy, Moscow reaffirmed its position on Kosovo and Metohija, based on respect for Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The student movement said its election victory had brought a responsibility to represent citizens' interests in discussions with international partners.

"We want to build relationships based on mutual respect, openness and equal cooperation, while consistently upholding the rule of law, democratic values and accountable institutions," the movement said.

It stressed that international cooperation would not mean allowing foreign partners to determine Serbia's policies.

"We want partnership, not subservience; cooperation, not obedience," the statement added.

Analysts: Maintaining a balanced foreign policy will be challenging

Political analyst Rajko Petrović told Kurir that Serbia's incoming authorities should continue strengthening relations with major powers, particularly the United States and Russia, while also developing ties with countries such as Canada.

He said the meetings signalled Serbia's willingness to maintain open diplomatic communication, but warned that preserving its traditionally multi-vector foreign policy could prove difficult.

Petrović suggested that Serbia's foreign policy focus might shift towards Western countries, although he stressed that the new authorities should be given time to establish their approach.

Dejan Miletić, director of the Centre for Globalisation Studies, also welcomed the diplomatic meetings, noting the strategic importance of relations with Washington and Moscow, particularly in the energy sector.

He argued that Serbia should preserve existing partnerships, including its close relationship with China and the Strategic Dialogue established with the United States.

Miletić said the Student List would likely face pressure as it attempts to maintain the foreign policy balance associated with former President Aleksandar Vučić.

"You cannot say that a diplomatic bridge is good but refuse to use it simply because someone before you built it. Everything that benefits the Serbian people should be used," Miletić said.

He expressed hope that the new leadership would preserve established diplomatic relationships while developing new ones.