Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, alongside Finance Minister Siniša Mali, boarded a train in Belgrade with supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) heading to the “We Meet at Sretenje” rally celebrating Statehood Day in Sremska Mitrovica.

During a conversation with reporters on the train, Vučić mentioned that eight trains had departed from Belgrade for Sremska Mitrovica, with bus lines stretching 12 kilometers ahead of the city. He anticipated a turnout of between 120,000 and 130,000 attendees.

When asked about the attendance of a significant number of people from Republika Srpska, Vučić confirmed that around 800 to 900 would be present, expressing his “infinite gratitude” for their participation.

Prior to departure, Minister Siniša Mali entertained passengers by playing music via the train’s loudspeaker, including the song “Čuvaj mi se sine” by musician Baja Mali Knindža.

As reported by the Beta agency, passengers on the train were provided with sandwiches and burgers.

Vučić also responded to comments made by the leader of the New Democratic Party of Serbia (Novi DSS), Miloš Jovanović, regarding a blockade of Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, stating that he “will never be able to do that.”

Inviting his supporters to rally in Sremska Mitrovica at 5 p.m. that day, Vučić emphasized their commitment to “defend and preserve Serbia from those who wish to destroy it.”

The gathering is expected to applaud the “People’s Declaration on Vojvodina in Serbia,” the text of which was released the previous day. Vučić described this declaration as “an important barrier to separatism.”

The event will take place on a plateau in front of the “Pinki” Sports and Business Center, where both Vučić and the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, are scheduled to speak.

Although initially announced to commence at 4 p.m., the rally is now set to begin one hour later, as indicated by the president’s latest communication.

On the eve of this “people’s assembly” for Serbia’s Statehood Day, which coincides with the religious holiday of Sretenje, Vučić shared a video of himself preparing a snack for supporters and specified who was financially responsible.

“(Finance Minister Siniša) Mali will provide burgers and kebabs for those traveling by train… We cover some expenses, the (Serbian Progressive) Party handles the majority, but USAID, NED, or any other group do not fund this—so it’s not a grand feast—just mayonnaise, cheese, a bit of ham, and a few Parisiennes. I believe people will be satisfied. Our role as sandwich makers is far more significant: to defend and preserve Serbia from those who wish to harm it,” Vučić shared in an Instagram post.

The rally in Sremska Mitrovica, which Vučić has invited citizens to, is titled “Let’s Meet at Sretenje.” In contrast, a mass protest rally using the same name was organized in Kragujevac from early morning until past midnight.

Thousands of students and citizens spontaneously joined the rally in Kragujevac, with many traveling for days, while reports indicated that transportation to Sremska Mitrovica was arranged through buses, assigned binding “quotas” for participating settlements and public companies.

In his comments today, amidst ongoing student protests and blockades, Vučić observed that it could “take months” to realign the country on a “positive path.”

“After a challenging January and an equally tough February, we will need several months to facilitate changes and order things differently,” Vučić remarked to reporters aboard the train with SNS supporters en route to the Statehood Day rally in Sremska Mitrovica.

He noted that many in Serbia are feeling confused and anxious, although he believes “a significant shift is occurring compared to three or four weeks ago.”

“People recognize that daily protests and blockages are increasingly problematic for our country, economy, and overall functioning. The public’s dissatisfaction is rising, and the pendulum of anger has swung dramatically,” Vučić stated.

He emphasized that while this isn’t a cause for celebration among the authorities, it will require “substantial effort and work to engage with these individuals.”

“We strive for them to understand what democracy means, to respect the will of the populace, but simultaneously for us to listen, engage in dialogue, and endeavor to steer the country back to stability, which will not be an easy task,” he concluded.

Regarding U.S. sanctions targeting the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS), he indicated plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, and noted that Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić would meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Monday.

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