Richard Grenell, one of Donald Trump’s close associates and a member of the board of the American conservative organization CPAC, appears once again to be doing one final “favor” for former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
The first CPAC Balkans conference will be held in Belgrade in January 2027, with Vučić confirmed as one of its main participants.
The announcement was made by CPAC itself, which stated that the event would bring together political leaders, policymakers, representatives of conservative movements, and grassroots activists from across the region in the Serbian capital.
In its statement, CPAC describes Vučić as one of the most influential figures in Serbian and Balkan politics, highlighting his role in discussions about the region’s future and its relationship with the United States.
The main topics of the conference will include national sovereignty, energy security, and strengthening the partnership between the Balkan countries and the United States.
The CPAC announcement has also drawn critical comments on the social media platform X.
Commenters have questioned the choice of Vučić, describing him as a left-wing, pro-Kremlin politician, while also recalling his time as Minister of Information in Slobodan Milošević’s government during the war in Kosovo.
Grenell, His Relationship with Vučić, and His Ties to Trump’s Inner Circle
The relationship between Richard Grenell and Aleksandar Vučić dates back to Donald Trump’s first term in office.
Grenell served as the US Special Envoy for Serbia-Kosovo negotiations and was one of the key figures in the talks that led to the Washington Agreement, signed at the White House on September 4, 2020, in the presence of Trump.
Since then, Grenell has maintained close contacts with Serbian leaders and has worked to bring Belgrade closer to the US administration.
Grenell also helped arrange a meeting between Vučić and Trump at the Mar-a-Lago residence in May 2025.
According to media reports, Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, had blocked the meeting.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had dismissed the claims as “fake news.”
Wiles herself later denied that there had been a confrontation with Grenell, stating that although they were not close friends, the reported feud had never taken place.
From the Belgrade Project to Kushner’s Investments in Albania
Grenell’s name has also emerged in connection with investment projects pursued by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, in Serbia and Albania through his company, Affinity Partners.
In Belgrade, Kushner’s company had planned an investment of more than $500 million in the complex of the former Yugoslav Army General Staff, which was bombed by NATO in 1999. The project envisaged the construction of a luxury hotel and a residential complex.
According to reports by The New Yorker, Grenell was involved in the project and had been in contact with Vučić’s government regarding its development. The initiative faced protests in Serbia because of the building’s historical significance and objections to the procedures for removing its protected heritage status.
The case also led to investigations and charges against Serbian officials over the alleged falsification of documents. In December 2025, Affinity Partners announced its withdrawal from the investment, arguing that meaningful projects should bring people together rather than divide them.
Meanwhile, in Albania, Grenell has been identified as one of the people who encouraged Kushner’s interest in tourism investments on the island of Sazan and in the Zvërnec area.
The projects, with an estimated value of around $4 billion, include luxury resorts, hotels, yacht marinas, and residential units.
According to The New Yorker investigation, Grenell played a role in bringing Kushner’s attention to Albania and establishing contacts with Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The projects have sparked debate and opposition over their potential impact on protected areas, property ownership issues, and the transparency of the procedures.
