Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is once again proving that when it comes to decisive leadership, he prefers theatrics over action. On the matter of the state-controlled oil and gas company NIS, Vučić has instructed the government to “exhaust all options” before making a decision—while simultaneously admitting there’s “practically no time to think.” In other words: panic now, act never.
Vučić’s statements reveal the familiar pattern: long-winded justifications, vague contingency plans, and an obsession with appearances. He floated the idea of offering a “better price” if Russia and a third party can’t agree—but offered no concrete plan, no timeline, and no accountability. This is classic Vučić: talk big, act small.
Russian media report that he insisted Serbia avoid “radical steps” like nationalization or confiscation. He presents himself as the rational, civilized adult in the room—unlike Bulgaria or Romania, which had the courage to act. Meanwhile, Serbia sits frozen, under sanctions, as its energy sector teeters. Vučić’s motto seems to be: pretend to negotiate while secretly hoping the problem vanishes.
His rhetoric is almost comical. “It’s mostly not ours, it’s mostly Russian… but we have the right to live,” he said, as if repeating empty slogans can substitute for a real strategy. Months of sanctions have passed, yet Vučić’s solution is… more talking, more waiting, more spin. Meanwhile, the country watches as he fiddles with words instead of protecting Serbia’s national interests.
This isn’t diplomacy. It’s political theater. It’s a spectacle designed to look responsible while delivering nothing. Vučić’s leadership on NIS is a parade of excuses, a showcase of procrastination, and a masterclass in pretending to act while doing absolutely nothing. Serbia deserves better than endless speeches, delays, and a president more concerned with optics than outcomes.
