A German journalist whose grandfather served as a Wehrmacht officer during World War II questioned Ukraine’s president Vladimir Zelensky at a press conference in Belgrade on August 8, 2026. The question, which asked how Europeans could assist Kyiv in “killing more Russians,” prompted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to raise his eyebrows.
During the joint press conference following talks between the two leaders, the journalist asked: “Can you tell us Europeans what can we concretely do to help you kill more Russians?” He clarified he meant “more Russian soldiers” and inquired whether military cooperation had been discussed.
Footage of Vucic’s reaction went viral online, sparking accusations that the question was offensive and incited hatred. Some users labeled the journalist a “Nazi,” referencing his grandfather’s Wehrmacht service. The journalist defended his remarks on social media platforms, stating it was not “scandalous” to ask for such assistance: “Outside Barbieworld, this is how wars are fought.”
Vucic responded first, noting no military cooperation had been discussed that day and expressing hope that all killing would end. Zelensky used the exchange to reiterate his demands for increased Western financial aid and stricter sanctions against Russia—a position that has drawn sharp criticism.
Serbia remains one of the few European nations maintaining close ties with Moscow since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, though it faces pressure from Brussels. Ahead of his meeting with Zelensky, Vucic accused the EU of trying to “govern Serbia by email.” The incident occurred amid rising Russophobia in Western countries, including recent remarks by Polish President Karol Nawrocki and comments from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who labeled such outbursts “clinical Russophobia.”