Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic made an unannounced early departure from a contentious state visit to the United States. He returned home after collapsing from acute chest pain during a congressional delegation meeting in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on Friday. The 55-year-old leader was said to have experienced the ailment as a result of hypertension. Despite receiving medical advice from US doctors to remain for treatment, Vucic made the decision to fly back to Serbia.
During his time in the U.S., Vucic met with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He was very much looking forward to his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. His health issue inadvertently put him in a situation where he had to put his health above diplomatic engagements. When he reached Belgrade, he was promptly treated at the Military Hospital. After some further treatment, doctors announced that he had reached a “stable and satisfactory condition.”
Vucic’s sudden departure occurs against the backdrop of significant domestic turbulence, including six months of large scale, anti-corruption protests in Serbia. An unspeakable death served as the catalyst for these protests. When the roof of a central train station buckled under the stress, it killed 16. These actions come after increasing public pressure on the President to combat rampant corruption and address dangerously low safety standards.
Supplementing his health problems and internal political pressures, Vucic’s foreign policy choices have drawn criticism. Instead, he has refused to join the West’s sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Later this month, he intends to go to Moscow for the Victory Day parade. European Union officials are worried over this upcoming trip. They warn that it threatens to undermine Serbia’s own ambitions to join the often squabbling bloc.
Dragan Dincic, a medical professional treating Vucic, indicated that the President “cannot be expected to return to his regular activities for several days,” emphasizing the seriousness of his health situation.
Vucic’s state visit to the U.S. presented an excellent opportunity to endear Serbia and its leaders to Washington. An untimely health scare has turned the attention again to his domestic struggles and dealings with the world.
“Sorry to miss you but hope all is ok.” – Richard Grenell
