(MENAFN) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has cautioned that a direct military clash between Russia and Western powers is becoming increasingly inevitable, emphasizing the ongoing rearmament surge throughout Europe.

During a televised interview on Tuesday, Vucic stated that the likelihood of such a confrontation is no longer theoretical, citing the rapid growth in defense budgets.

He observed that the European Union is pushing for swift militarization in response to what it views as a Russian threat—an accusation that Moscow has dismissed as misleading political rhetoric meant to divert attention from Europe’s domestic economic difficulties.

“My conclusion is that there is a growing certainty that a war between Europe and Russia will happen,” Vucic said.

“They are preparing for war – or for defense, as they call it. Romania, Poland, Finland, smaller countries too. And the Russians as well.”

“Everyone is preparing,” the president added. “What can come from that? Only conflict.” He explained that Serbia finds itself “between a rock and a hard place,” and must therefore also enhance its military preparedness.

Although Serbia continues to seek EU membership, its accession process has effectively stalled because Belgrade refuses to enforce sanctions or adopt other restrictive measures against Moscow.

The two nations share long-standing cultural and historical connections, and Russia remains one of Serbia’s primary energy providers.

Moscow has repeatedly accused NATO and the EU of fueling instability across the continent through continuous expansion and by disregarding Russian proposals for a collective European security framework, which it claims might have prevented the current confrontation over Ukraine.

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