Ursula von der Leyen condemns ‘shocking’ Ratko Mladić funeral in Serbia

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1. 6d ago

   EU Condemns Hero's Funeral for Ratko Mladić in Serbia

   European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other international leaders have strongly condemned the full military honors and large public turnout given to convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Serbia. Thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral, which also drew criticism from the European Union and the United Kingdom over the participation of Serbian government ministers. In response to the events, Bosnia expelled two Serbian embassy diplomats, escalating regional diplomatic tensions. The high-profile display and official attendance have intensified scrutiny of Serbia's commitment to European integration and regional reconciliation.

   Why it matters

   Ratko Mladić was widely known as the Butcher of Bosnia for atrocities committed during the Yugoslav wars. Serbia's decision to accord him full military honors and allow ministers to attend directly defies warnings from European institutions. This controversy threatens to stall Belgrade's long-standing bid for membership in the European Union.

   What is confirmed

   • Ursula von der Leyen condemned the shocking funeral held for Ratko Mladić in Serbia.
   • Ratko Mladić, often referred to as the Butcher of Bosnia, received a funeral with full military honors as crowds gathered.
   • Thousands of people turned out in Serbia to mourn Mladić.
   • Bosnia expelled two Serbian embassy diplomats in protest over the funeral.
   • The European Union condemned Serbian ministers for attending the funeral of the war criminal.

   What to watch next

   • Further diplomatic actions or retaliatory measures between Serbia and Bosnia
   • Official European Union assessments regarding Serbia's membership bid following the funeral honors
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. The New York Review of Books — An Exception in World Affairs
   2. The Guardian — Ratko Mladić, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, given hero’s funeral in Serbia
   3. CNN — War criminal Ratko Mladić to receive full military honors in funeral as crowds gather
   4. The New York Times — Thousand of Serbs Gather to Mourn Ratko Mladic, the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’
   5. BBC — Thousands turn out in Serbia for funeral of 'Butcher of Bosnia' Ratko Mladić
   6. Al Jazeera — Burying Mladic: Were no lessons learned?
   7. reuters.com — EU's von der Leyen slams turnout for Mladic's funeral
   8. politico.eu — Ursula von der Leyen condemns ‘shocking’ Ratko Mladić funeral in Serbia
   9. Reuters — Bosnia expels two Serbian embassy diplomats in protest over Mladic funeral
   10. Al Jazeera — EU condemns Serbia’s ministers for attending funeral of war criminal Mladic
   11. dw.com — EU, UK express dismay over Mladic funeral in Serbia
   12. CNN — War criminal Mladic is buried as a hero in Serbia despite EU warnings
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