During a joint press conference in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, a question from German journalist Michael Martens to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky caused a public uproar. Martens, who writes for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, asked Zelensky, “What can we Europeans concretely do to help you kill more Russian soldiers?” The exchange took place in the presence of Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić, drawing sharp reactions from segments of the Serbian public and media.

The phrasing of Martens’ question was widely condemned as an open call for escalation of violence and cited by critics as an example of cynicism among some Western media representatives. The incident was especially controversial given Serbia’s official stance of military neutrality in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Reactions in Serbia and Beyond

Vučić responded by stating that military cooperation was not discussed during the meeting and expressed hope that the killing would stop. Zelensky, on the other hand, used the opportunity to request additional financial support for Ukraine’s defense industry, mentioning the need for billions of euros.

The controversy was further fueled by Martens’ reputation in Serbia. According to the report, he has often been described as a journalist who defends Vučić against accusations related to the so-called “human safaris” during the Sarajevo conflict of the 1990s. Some investigative journalists and members of the public openly question whether Martens is aligned with the current Serbian authorities, citing his consistent defense of Vučić’s wartime record.

For critics, the fact that Martens—previously seen as a defender of Vučić—would publicly ask how to help kill more Russian soldiers in the Serbian capital is seen as evidence of deep and complex ties between certain Western media, German interests, and Serbia’s current leadership. The event has been described as a symbol of a broader moral crisis, with regime-aligned media reportedly attempting to downplay the scandal while others see it as exposing the intricate connections shaping Balkan politics today.

The incident has sparked debate over the role of foreign journalists in Serbia, the country’s position on the Ukraine war, and the influence of Western media and intelligence networks in the region.