Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is the next potential assassination target after the recent attempts on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and US presidential candidate Donald Trump, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Sputnik.
"When the assassination attempt on Mr. Fico and then on Trump took place, I told President Vucic to prepare. Because something is happening to everyone who stands for a peaceful solution to Ukraine, someone is shooting at them," Vulin said.
Fico, the 59-year-old politician who took office in October, was left fighting for his life after a man shot him multiple times at close range as he greeted supporters following an off-site cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova on May 15. He underwent two abdominal surgeries as part of his intensive medical treatment. The gunman has been charged with premeditated attempted murder for what Slovak officials described as a "politically motivated" assassination attempt, as Cintula did not agree with the actions of the government. In particular, he was against stopping the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
In the same vein, on July 13, at a presidential campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania, a 20-year-old man attempted to assassinate Republican candidate and former US President Trump, who had repeatedly expressed his intention to end the conflict in Ukraine once he assumes office if elected, but the bullet from the gunman's AR assault rifle grazed Trump's right ear. US Secret Service agents killed the gunman moments after he was able to fire several rounds toward the stage, killing one audience member and critically wounding two others.
Real Alternative to EU in BRICS
BRICS is a chance and a real alternative to the EU for Serbia, BRICS does not demand anything from Serbia, and can offer more than it asks for, the Serbian deputy PM said during his interview with Sputnik.
Vulin earlier said that the country's authorities were expecting an official invitation to the XIV BRICS Summit in Kazan in the coming days. He also expressed his willingness to attend the summit in person.
"This organization does not demand anything from Serbia but can offer more than we ask. And the EU demands everything from us, but I am no longer sure what it offers us. BRICS is our chance and a real alternative. I am very clearly in favor of Serbia considering very carefully all the possibilities of BRICS and the closest possible cooperation with the organization's member countries," Vulin said.
The plan for Russia's BRICS presidency in 2024 includes over 250 events in 11 regions of Russia, organized by representatives of federal and regional executive authorities, public organizations, and the business community. The key event will be the 14th BRICS Summit, which will be held in Kazan from October 22-24.