AGP Executive Report

US-Western Balkans Shift: Washington is pivoting from “nation-building” to “mutually beneficial partnerships,” pushing trade, energy and security while warning China and Russia exploit regional weak spots. Serbia-China Power Move: As the US report lands, Aleksandar Vučić is in Beijing for a five-day blitz, with Xi praising “ironclad friendship,” signing 23 deals, and handing Vučić China’s Order of Friendship. Local Politics Pressure: Vučić is also facing mounting domestic unrest, with reports of his party floating a prime-minister bid as protests demand elections. Entertainment & Sport: Rainmaker Productions says it will film back-to-back Serbian seasons of The Traitors for Prva TV, while Novak Djokovic keeps rolling at the French Open—coming back from a slow start to beat Mpetshi Perricard and set up the next round. Culture Moment: Belgrade hosts a rare reunion concert: Tuxedomoon founders play together for the first time in years.

Serbia-China Power Play: President Aleksandar Vučić wrapped his Beijing trip with Xi Jinping, signing 23 bilateral deals and receiving China’s Order of Friendship—while both leaders pushed “ironclad” cooperation on transport, AI, energy, and people-to-people ties. Domestic Pressure: The same week’s backdrop is Serbia’s unrest: tens of thousands again flooded Slavija on May 23, with turnout numbers disputed (police vs. independent estimates) and clashes reported after the rally. Sports Spotlight: Novak Djokovic survived a first-round scare at Roland Garros, rallying from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and celebrate with a viral “peppy dance” for his daughter Tara. Heat & Chaos at Roland Garros: The French Open is dealing with extreme temperatures—ball girl collapse and medical timeouts have already disrupted play, and the tournament’s retractable-roof setup is being tested. What’s Thin: No major new Serbian entertainment-specific headlines surfaced in the latest batch beyond the sports and politics spillover.

French Open Buzz: Novak Djokovic survived a first-round scare at Roland Garros, rallying from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4, then revived his viral “battle dance” and even challenged Aryna Sabalenka to a dance-off. Serbian Spotlight: Djokovic’s win keeps his record 25th-Slam quest alive as he tied the men’s record for 22 Roland Garros main-draw appearances and pushed his Paris opening-round streak to 22 straight wins. Upset Alert: Taylor Fritz went out early, stunned by Nishesh Basavareddy in a four-set thriller. Sports Culture: Elsewhere in the week, Nikola Jokić made All-NBA First Team again, while Alexander Zverev cruised past Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets. Politics in the Background: Belgrade’s anti-government protests also stayed in the headlines, with clashes reported after a massive rally.

Belgrade Protest Fallout: Tens of thousands filled Slavija Square demanding early elections and an end to Vučić’s rule, but the night turned ugly as clashes with riot police erupted—tear gas, pepper spray, arrests, and reports of masked groups. Turnout Battle: An independent monitor put attendance at 180,000–190,000, while Vučić’s side claimed far lower numbers and blamed organizers for the violence. China Pivot: While protests simmer, Vučić is in Beijing for a five-day state visit, pushing deeper Serbia–China ties and dismissing EU enlargement talk as “better for Ukraine than Serbia.” Tennis Spotlight: Djokovic starts Roland Garros chasing a record 25th Slam, with Alexander Zverev also cruising into the second round as Paris bakes in heat. Music Note: Anthrax’s Belgrade stop is on the tour map, with the band using a new session drummer for select dates.

Belgrade Uprising: Police fired tear gas and stun grenades as tens of thousands filled Slavija Square, with clashes erupting near the presidency and city hall; 23 people were detained and protesters set bins alight, as the student-led push for early elections and an end to Aleksandar Vučić’s long rule keeps escalating. Student Movement Backstory: The protests trace back to the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse in Nov. 2024, which sparked anger over corruption and mismanagement. French Open Focus: Novak Djokovic begins his Roland-Garros quest for a record 25th Grand Slam, opening against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while the tournament’s prize-money tensions are already shaping how players show up. Sports Elsewhere: Jannik Sinner’s dominant run has Paris buzzing about a potentially lopsided men’s draw.

Protest Crackdown in Belgrade: Tens of thousands of students and anti-government demonstrators flooded Slavija Square demanding early elections and President Aleksandar Vučić’s exit, but the day turned violent as smaller groups clashed with riot police near the presidency—flares, rocks and bottles thrown, tear gas and stun grenades fired, and bins set alight. Transport Pressure: Hours before the rally, Serbia’s rail network was shut down indefinitely and roads were reportedly blocked, while Vučić backed a pro-support rally in North Macedonia. Belgrade Restaurant Shooting: In Novi Beograd, a restaurant owner was injured in a shooting; police arrested a 24-year-old suspect and are investigating the motive. Tennis Spotlight: Djokovic opens the French Open chasing a record 25th Slam as players debate a revenue split and some boycott media days—Djokovic says he supports the cause but won’t join the boycott. Aviation Note: AZAL’s chairman says safety is central to its strategy as the airline expands its Airbus A320neo fleet.

French Open Fallout: Players at Roland Garros are tightening their protest over revenue sharing and media access, with Novak Djokovic backing a push for “fair” treatment and warning the sport could fracture further. Belgrade Culture Calendar: The International Documentary Film Festival Beldocs kicks off in Belgrade (20–26 May), with 100+ documentaries plus VR and industry events. NIS/MOL Update: MOL says it has U.S. OFAC approval to keep negotiating its NIS deal until June 6, while Serbia’s energy minister stresses talks continue to protect national interests. Serbia Politics Watch: Student protests are set for May 23 in Belgrade, and the U.S. Embassy has issued a demonstration alert with expected street closures. Sport & Serbia Links: England’s World Cup squad is shaped by Thomas Tuchel’s “culture over names” approach, while Serbia’s volleyball schedule includes Nations League matches against Ukraine’s teams. Belgrade Crime Shock: A body found in a barrel has been tied to a high-profile Belgrade police chief investigation, deepening the political fallout.

World Cup Buzz: England’s 2026 squad is out, and Thomas Tuchel’s picks are already sparking debate—Ivan Toney makes the cut while Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire are left out. French Open Drama: Novak Djokovic says he’s joining a media boycott over prize-money disputes, while the draw keeps Jannik Sinner and Djokovic on opposite halves, setting up a possible final clash. Serbia Under Pressure: Belgrade’s police chief Veselin Milic is implicated in a deadly mob hit cover-up after a body was found stuffed in a barrel tied to an organized-crime shooting. Cybersecurity Watch: Researchers warn of GraphWorm malware using Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft Graph to hide command traffic. Politics & Rights: Serbia’s electoral law amendments are branded “cosmetic” by critics as the Council of Europe commissioner flags worsening media freedom and civic space. Concert Safety: Ricky Martin’s Montenegro show was halted after tear gas was sprayed toward the stage—he later resumed once authorities said it was safe.

Student Protests: Serbia’s university students are gearing up for a major weekend rally in Belgrade, aiming to push for political change and elections that could topple Aleksandar Vučić’s government, with Slavija Square set as the key stage after earlier clashes and disruption. Concert Chaos: Ricky Martin’s Montenegro show was abruptly halted when a fan discharged a tear gas canister toward the stage; the singer and team were reported safe and the concert resumed once authorities secured the area. Tennis Focus: Novak Djokovic’s Roland Garros build-up gets a Serbian boost as he names Viktor Troicki as his new coach, setting up a tougher-looking draw for his 25th Slam bid. World Cup Paperwork: FIFA World Cup 2026 squads are rolling out as teams finalize rosters ahead of the June 2 deadline, with Neymar confirmed for Brazil. Oil Deal Tension: Vučić says Serbia’s NIS negotiations with MOL “are not going well,” warning the situation is more complex than it appears as sanctions concerns loom.

FISU Planning Push: A 15-day FISU site visit in North Carolina wrapped up with technical committee chairs reviewing sports operations for the 2029 World University Games, a big milestone for how events will run. Football Spotlight: The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 draw is done, with the expanded 48-team format shaping 12 groups of four ahead of Doha hosting from 19 Nov to 13 Dec. Serbia Energy Tension: Russia’s Maria Zakharova urged people to ignore speculation over the sale of Russia’s stake in NIS, pointing to ongoing talks and insisting the company must keep supplying Serbia. Roland Garros Build-Up: Djokovic named Viktor Troicki as coach just days before the French Open, while the draw sets up major contenders and Alcaraz’s absence. Belgrade Tech-Politics: A Belgrade School District cyberattack and a projected 2027 budget deficit are fueling parent frustration over transparency and day-to-day disruption. Sports-Politics Noise: Tennis players are reportedly planning a media-day protest over prize money, with a formal boycott still not on the table.

Tennis Spotlight: Novak Djokovic just confirmed Viktor Troicki as his new coach ahead of Roland Garros, adding a longtime Serbian doubles partner to a revamped setup as the 39-year-old chases a record 25th Slam—though his clay prep has been patchy. Sports Buzz: In Belgrade, South Korea’s Lim Ae-ji won gold at the Belgrade Winner Tournament, while ATP Hamburg delivered a shock as Aleksandar Kovačević upset top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Regional Politics: Montenegro’s independence anniversary invite for Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić sparked a fresh snub, underlining how old tensions still flare. Security & Economy: A Southeast Europe defence analysis says the region is shifting from “passive” security to active preparation, with defence increasingly treated like an economic driver. Tech Watch: ESET reports a China-aligned Webworm expanding in Europe, including targeting Serbia. Serbian Identity in Sport: Partizan’s former Israeli captain Bibars Natcho announced his retirement—closing a two-decade run that ended at the club he called home.

Eurovision Buzz: Israel’s Noam Bettan finished second at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Michelle,” while Bulgaria’s DARA won with “Bangaranga”—and Serbia made the final too. EU Enlargement Push: Austria, Czechia, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia want candidate countries gradually plugged into the EU single market “step by step,” aiming to speed reforms. Serbia-Ukraine Diplomatic Twist: Zelenskyy’s planned visit to Serbia was postponed; Ukraine says Deputy PM Taras Kachka will lead the delegation instead. Tennis Spotlight: Carlos Alcaraz is sidelined through Wimbledon with a wrist injury, and John McEnroe says it could open the door for Novak Djokovic at the next Slams. WNBA Heat: Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter is thriving early in 2026, averaging 19.4 points and setting a bench-scoring record through her first five games. Tech & Security: ESET reports a China-aligned Webworm campaign targeting governments across Europe, including Serbia.

War Reporting Prize: Guardian correspondent Lorenzo Tondo and photographer Alessio Mamo have won the Ryszard Kapuściński prize for standout reporting from conflict and humanitarian hotspots, with the ceremony set for 12 June in Rome. Serbia Justice Fight: The Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation faces another setback in its long push for justice over the 1999 murder of editor Slavko Ćuruvija, after a defamation damages ruling. Kosovo Tensions: Serbia’s Office for Kosovo-Metohija says KFOR is the only legal force and warns Pristina’s plans for “parapolice” formations are election-driven. Sports—Serbian Spotlight: Novak Djokovic heads into Roland Garros with health concerns and a less-than-ideal clay build-up, while a Serbian forward, Andrija Radojevic, is set to join North Dakota after pro seasons in Serbia. Belgrade Tech Showcase: Serbia’s PM Djuro Macut opened Belgrade’s International Technical Fair, pitching EXPO 2027 and a push for digitalisation and AI.

NBA Shock & Recovery: Chicago Sky’s rebuild got a jolt—Rickea Jackson’s torn ACL ends her season after the team’s early surge to the top five in ESPN Power Rankings. Serbian Talent on the Rise: Jovana Nogic keeps lighting up the WNBA for Phoenix, with Serbia’s star scoring a record 27 points in a win over Chicago. Tennis Big Blow: Carlos Alcaraz confirms he’s withdrawing from Wimbledon (and Queen’s) with a wrist problem, after also skipping the French Open. Kosovo Court Fallout: Pristina sentences Serb police lieutenant Bojan Jevtic to six years for espionage, alleging leaks to Serbia’s BIA. Belgrade Tech Push: Serbia’s International Technical Fair opens in Belgrade with a spotlight on EXPO 2027 and digitalisation. Ukraine-Serbia Diplomacy: Zelenskyy’s visit is now reported as unlikely this week, with a Ukrainian delegation expected to be led by Deputy PM Taras Kachka instead. World Cup Countdown: Teams are starting to publish 2026 World Cup squads as the June start nears.

NBA MVP Buzz: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just repeated as NBA MVP for the second straight year, extending the league’s run of non-US winners to eight straight seasons. Serbian Sports Spotlight: Jovana Nogic is turning heads in the WNBA—Phoenix’s Serbian star dropped 27 points in a win and is now set to host Toronto’s new Tempo team. World Cup Countdown: World Cup squads are rolling in fast, with Neymar recalled to Brazil’s roster and more complete team lists emerging as June deadlines loom. Global Crime & Tech: Germany says it uncovered a sanctions-evasion scheme feeding Russia’s nuclear and military industry with Western components. Serbia in the Bigger Picture: Aleksandar Vucic met Kenya’s Ruto in Baku, with Kosovo discussed alongside economic cooperation. Weather Watch: Europe is bracing for a major temperature swing after Arctic cold—Serbia included in the stormy mix. Entertainment/Film Circuit: Europa Cinemas backed nine collaborative projects under its “Collaborate to Innovate” push for European film visibility.

NBA MVP Moment: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just repeated as NBA Most Valuable Player, becoming the 14th player to win back-to-back MVPs and extending the league’s streak of non-US-born MVPs to eight straight years. Serbia Police Shockwave: In Belgrade’s Senjak, the police director says Serbia’s Armed Forces have joined the search for the missing body tied to a restaurant shooting that already led to the arrest of Belgrade Police chief Veselin Milić—while investigators say they’ve found a suspect vehicle and are running tests. Digital Serbia Push: Serbian PM Djuro Macut says the country has made “significant progress” in digitalising public administration and will keep investing in IT infrastructure and AI for faster, more accessible services. UAE Agentic AI: Abu Dhabi approved a national Agentic AI programme—training 80,000 government employees and targeting AI adoption across at least half of government services. Regional Diplomacy: Vucic met Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev in Baku, focusing on trade, industry, energy, infrastructure, and cultural ties. Music Buzz: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 with “Bangaranga,” beating Noam Bettan amid protests and a boycott. Tech & Energy Watch: NGEN showcased smart batteries and AI energy management at Belgrade’s energy forum, as the company expands across Europe.