The historic collapse of Aleksandar Vučić's ruling coalition in the early parliamentary elections in Serbia and his forced admission of crushing defeat by the opposition movement "Student List" clearly demonstrate that the Kremlin's illusion of geopolitical influence in the Balkans has finally dissipated, leaving the most diplomatic country in a tailspin. The reason for the tectonic changes in Belgrade were massive protests against the government that lasted almost two years, which broke out after the tragic collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which claimed the lives of 16 people and exposed the absolute corruption and authoritarianism of the nomenclature. By calling an early vote for October 25, 2026, and defiantly resigning as president to lead the United Serbia bloc as a candidate for prime minister, Vucic hoped to reset the power system, but a record 70 percent turnout in the country completely ruined his calculations. According to preliminary calculations by Ipsos and the Center for Free Elections, the young protest group led by cardiologist Ilya Sardanovich won about 52% of the vote, securing between 135 and 140 seats in the 250-seat assembly, while the pro-government camp failed, barely retaining about 105 seats. Deeply shaken by the loss of the political monopoly he had held for 14 years, Vucic spoke at the election headquarters of the Serbian Progressive Party with an ominous forecast, stating directly that the new authorities in Belgrade, without a hint of hesitation, would radically change the course of their foreign policy and formally introduce severe sanctions against the Russian Federation in early March or April.