—🇷🇸 [August 31, 2025] Vučić supporters staged counter-rallies in 50 cities against student blockades across Serbia

For the first time since the movement began, coordinated rallies opposing the student protesters' blockade tactics took place across 50 Serbian cities and municipalities. These counter-demonstrations, organized by supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), specifically targeted the protesters' use of road blockades and bridge occupations that have disrupted traffic and drawn attention to opposition demands.

The counter-rallies marked a significant escalation in organized pushback from Vučić loyalists, who echo the president's narrative that the student movement represents "terrorism" aimed at unseating his government.

✅ Follow us on @balkanspectator

—📊 🇷🇸 Eurobarometer public opinion poll in Serbia:

🇪🇺 33% of people support Serbia’s EU membership
🇷🇺 59% of people trust Russia
🇨🇳 57% of people trust China
🇪🇺 45% of people think Serbia will never join the EU
🇪🇺 38% of people have a positive view of the EU

🔗 The National Independent

✅ Follow us on @balkanspectator

🇻🇦🤝🇮🇱 — Vatican & Israeli Media reports that Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIV met today at the Vatican

➡️ Pope Leo XIV on Thursday received Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, in audience in the Apostolic Palace.

➡️ The Israeli President subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

📝 According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, during “the cordial talks with the Holy Father and in the Secretariat of State, the political and social situation in the Middle East was addressed, where numerous conflicts persist, with particular attention given to the tragic situation in Gaza.”

🕊 The statement added that there were talks about how to ensure a future for the Palestinian people and about peace and stability in the region. It said the Holy See reiterated its view that "a two-state solution is the only way out of the current war.”

📝 Reference was also made to what is happening in the West Bank and to the important question of the city of Jerusalem.

🤝 Before concluding, the Press Office statement noted that “During the discussions, there was agreement on the historical value of the relations between the Holy See and Israel.”

—🇨🇳/🇷🇸 NEW: China’s Xi Jinping Backs Serbia and Boosts Mining Ties

➡️ Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, expressing strong support for Serbia’s unity and stability. Vučić announced Serbia is set to become Europe’s leading producer of copper and gold, crediting major Chinese investment for this significant rise.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English on Telegram

—🇭🇺/🇷🇸 Hungary: "Republika Srpska's Future Is for Its People, Not Brussels or Berlin"

➡️ Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has declared that the leadership and future of Bosnia's Republika Srpska should be decided solely by its people in Banja Luka, firmly rejecting influence from Budapest, Brussels, or Berlin.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English on Telegram

—🇽🇰/🇦🇱/🇭🇷 Vučić: “Military alliance of Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb was formed because of Serbia.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić declared that the recent military coordination between Kosovo (Pristina), Albania (Tirana), and Croatia (Zagreb) was “not by accident,” but directly in response to Serbia—not because of Austria, Hungary, or Slovenia.

This statement highlights rising regional tensions, with Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo now agreeing to jointly purchase arms from the United States, underscoring a significant realignment in Balkan security.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English on Telegram

—❗️🇷🇸 ❌ 🇧🇦 URGENT: Dodik Threatens Independence for Republika Srpska

➡️ Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik warned in Budapest that if the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains unchanged, the entity will have "no choice" but to declare independence.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English on Telegram

—🇷🇸 UPDATE: Vučić Defends China Visit Over Bled Forum

➡️ President Aleksandar Vučić said choosing to go to China, instead of the Strategic Forum in Bled, was not a mistake, responding to media questions about his diplomatic priorities.

Comparing relations and meetings with Andrej Plenković and others, which I have had so many so far and where I heard a lot of nonsense, with meetings that I have had here with President Xi, President Putin, Prime-Minister Fico, President Mirziyoyev, President Aliyev and President Subianto is like comparing English Premier League and Belgrade Local League, believe me.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English on Telegram

—🇪🇬/🇫🇷/🇷🇸 NEW: Dassault sends experts from Egypt and France to Serbia.

Several Dassault Aviation professionals from the Cairo bureau, along with French chief engineers, are arriving in Serbia to oversee the launch of the new Dassault Aviation Branch Belgrade.

The new director of the Belgrade office reportedly holds an Egyptian passport. This happens amid Serbia’s preparations for Rafale jet acquisition.

📰 This information comes from an exclusive report by Дунав (Dunav) Intel.

👉 AI-generated picture.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English on Telegram

🇵🇸❌🇦🇱 — Palestine's ambassador stated that Albanian leaders should take a stronger stand for Palestine.

➡️ He added he is still waiting for a statement, noting Albania has not issued one in support of Gaza.

https://x.com/kos_data/status/1963706809807462585