Image: from Ken Moriyasu X@kenmoriyasu
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies | January 20, 2026
DAVOS, Switzerland – Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić delivered a somber assessment of the current global landscape, characterizing 2025 as the most volatile year for international security since the end of the Second World War.
Addressing the forum during a period of heightened geopolitical friction, Vučić warned that the “spirit of dialogue”, the official theme of this year’s meeting, is being overshadowed by a retreat into hardline national interests.
“Multilateralism is a Mistake of the Past”
In a candid address to journalists and world leaders, Vučić stated that the international community has effectively abandoned the principles of cooperation.
“Everyone talks about peace, blaming others for not respecting agreements, but in the end, everyone protects their own national interest,” Vučić said. “No one cares about multilateralism anymore, and that is the biggest mistake we all made in the past. Now, no one can change it.”
The Serbian President noted that while 2025 saw a record number of new conflicts, he expects 2026 to be even more difficult. “We have entered a world of uncertainty and volatility, and I am not sure we will overcome it in the coming years.”
A “Political Divorce” and Global Uncertainty
Vučić specifically pointed to the deepening rift between the United States and the European Union, particularly following President Donald Trump’s threats of military and economic intervention regarding Greenland. He characterized this friction as a “permanent political divorce” that would have a “spillover effect” on smaller nations like Serbia.
“If you expect that Trump will tomorrow say he agrees with Ursula von der Leyen’s words, that will not happen,” Vučić remarked. “That’s why I spoke about creating stronger ties between us [in the region], so that we can withstand these shocks to our economies and policies.”
Serbia’s Position: Decoupling and Stability
Despite his bleak global outlook, Vučić remains optimistic about Serbia’s domestic economic trajectory. He reiterated his goal for 2026 to be “the best year in the history of Serbia” in terms of economic growth.
“Our Serbia has missed countless opportunities for accelerated development in the past, but this time we will not,” he stated during his stay in Davos. He emphasized that Serbia would continue its policy of military neutrality while seeking to protect its interests amid the “madness” of the current international climate.
As a veteran of the Davos forum, having attended for 12 consecutive years, Vučić noted a distinct change in atmosphere this year. “I have never seen so many people here, and yet no one is smiling. People are here because they are worried about their future.”