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BELGRADE, Serbia — The streets of central Belgrade became a battleground on Sunday as hundreds of riot police intervened to separate opposing factions: supporters of Serbia’s autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic and anti-government protesters. The confrontation, marked by thrown bottles and flares, underscored escalating political tensions following a year of sustained demonstrations against Vucic’s rule. The clashes erupted a day after tens of thousands gathered in Novi Sad to commemorate the first anniversary of a train station disaster that claimed 16 lives and ignited a youth-led movement demanding political reform. The tragedy has become a rallying point for critics of Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian 13-year tenure. In Belgrade, protesters rallied in support of Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims, who began a hunger strike near a tent camp outside the parliament building. This camp, occupied by Vucic’s loyalists since March, has become a symbol of the president’s efforts to consolidate power. Known colloquially as “Caciland,” the camp has drawn criticism for restricting public access and raising fears of violence, particularly after a recent shooting incident. Authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissent, detaining hundreds of protesters and labeling student demonstrators as “terrorists.” Protesters accuse the government of corruption and negligence in the Novi Sad station renovation, which they claim led to the fatal collapse. They are demanding accountability for the victims, the release of detained protesters, and early parliamentary elections.

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, has characterized the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as a strategic misstep for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to the BBC, Adm Dragone emphasized that the war has reached a stalemate, making it imperative to initiate peace negotiations to prevent further loss of life. He highlighted that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine inadvertently led to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, further isolating Russia on the global stage. ‘Putin will not succeed in establishing a puppet government in Ukraine,’ Dragone asserted, dismissing any notion of a Belarus-like scenario in Kyiv. He also underscored NATO’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, stating that the alliance will support the nation until a lasting peace is achieved. On the topic of defense spending, Dragone noted that NATO members have agreed to increase their defense budgets to 5% of GDP by 2035, a move prompted by persistent urging from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Addressing concerns over Russia’s recent unveiling of advanced nuclear-powered weapons, Dragone downplayed the threat, reiterating NATO’s defensive posture. ‘We are not threatened by them; we are prepared to defend our 32 nations and one billion people,’ he declared. Looking ahead, Dragone identified the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—as potential flashpoints for future aggression but assured that NATO’s Article 5 would ensure collective defense. He also highlighted air defense as NATO’s top priority, with plans to deploy a ‘drone wall’ along the alliance’s eastern borders within months. Despite internal dissent from some member states like Slovakia and Hungary, Dragone expressed confidence in NATO’s cohesion and reliability, concluding, ‘The alliance is stronger than our adversaries, and we will stand with Ukraine until peace prevails.’