From affect to strategy: Serbia’s diplomatic balance during the Russia-Ukraine War

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has set a new strategic reality wherein friendships and loyalties are either reaffirmed or redefined. While the EU and Serbia have a more strategic approach to their relations, old ties, like Russia, are more affective. Following Chantal Mouffe, who asserts that affect plays a crucial role in the construction of political identities, this article examines affect in foreign policy during times of international crisis; and seeks an answer to ‘what happens when relations are strained by the Russia-Ukraine War? and specifically, what options does this bring for Serbia?’ To answer these questions, the article analyses speeches of Serbia’s president Aleksandar Vučić, to understand the affective dimension in Serbia’s foreign policies regarding the EU versus Russia. While Serbia’s affective dimension with Russia simmers, its strategic discourse towards the EU remains. Thus, the populist appeal, usually informed by affect, tends to be overshadowed in crisis to prioritize strategic aspects of political friendships.