Abu Dhabi, UAE – Vuk Jeremić, President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) and former President of the United Nations General Assembly, participated in the 17th World Policy Conference (WPC) in Abu Dhabi. Speaking during the plenary session “The Future of Europe After the Ukraine War and Trump’s Election,” Jeremić called for pragmatic strategies to address Europe’s challenges, stressing the need for honest dialogue and realistic expectations for the continent's future.
Drawing from his personal and professional experiences, Jeremić reflected on the devastating legacy of war, likening the Ukraine conflict to the tragic dissolution of Yugoslavia.
“This war is exceptionally tragic—not only for the immense human loss but also for the decades of scars it will leave behind, scars that will be very, very difficult to heal,” Jeremić said. He added, “As someone with mixed family roots, I’ve lived through the many facets of tragedy that come with unresolved conflict.”
On the Ukraine War: “It’s Time to Talk
Jeremić expressed hope for an imminent end to the war but cautioned against allowing a ceasefire to become merely a tactical pause for further escalation.
“This war is coming to an end—soon, I hope—but even if it takes longer, the outcome will be the same. Every additional day prolongs the suffering and risks another thousands of lives lost,” Jeremić warned.
He highlighted the mutual distrust between Russia and the West, emphasizing that both sides view each other’s actions through a lens of suspicion. “Do you believe Russia doesn’t think the same about the West as the West thinks about them? They often quote Angela Merkel, who said the Minsk Agreement was about buying time for Ukraine to rearm,” Jeremić pointed out.
Jeremić urged Europe to shift its focus toward constructive engagement with Russia. “As Europeans, we must spend more energy talking to the other side. You call it an adversary, but they are very much part of the future security equation.”
Warnings on Europe’s Strategic Direction
Jeremić cautioned against the rhetoric of transforming Europe into a war economy in response to the Ukraine conflict, calling it “a recipe for disaster” in the mid-to-long term. He also addressed the unrealistic promises made to Ukraine about EU and NATO membership, urging European leaders to set honest expectations.
“It is manifestly obvious that Ukraine is not going to be a member of NATO. President Biden didn’t support it, and President Trump won’t either. And as for the European Union, I hope it doesn’t repeat the same mistakes it made with the Western Balkans,” Jeremić stated.
He stressed the need for clarity in communication with nations aspiring to join the EU, such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. “When I talk to my friends from Ukraine, they genuinely believe they’ll join the EU soon. I tell them, ‘We in the Western Balkans will join first.’ And when they ask me when that will be, I say, ‘Never.’ It’s only a semi-joke,” he said.
Instead, Jeremić advocated for expanding and strengthening the European Political Community, a platform that offers meaningful engagement without the complexities of full EU membership.
A Call for Dialogue
Jeremić concluded his remarks by underscoring the importance of fostering dialogue, even among opposing viewpoints. He shared insights from a recent debate he organized between geopolitical experts Ian Bremmer and Sergey Karaganov.
“They disagreed on some issues but ultimately they realized they agreed on 90 percent of them. That’s a lot. Dialogue can reveal shared interests and common ground,” he said.
The World Policy Conference is an annual forum that convenes global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss critical international issues. The 17th edition, held from December 13-15, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, focused on topics such as global security, the future of Europe, and the evolving world order.
