Candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Says Will Work on Suppressing Influence of Russia, China, and on Regional Stability 

Flags of Serbia and the USA (BetaPhoto/Milos Miskov)

The candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade, Michael Young, has said that if the Senate greenlights his appointment, he will work on reducing Russia's and China's influence in Serbia and on deepening cooperation in the area of defense and security.

At a Sept. 17 hearing before the U.S. Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations, which votes on the nomination and sends a recommendation to the Senate for appointment, Young also said he will advocate the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, Radio Free Europe has reported.

Young said he will encourage Serbia to accept a political and economic future that benefits the United States, rather than competitors like Russia and China. He also said he will encourage Serbia to promote security, stability and prosperity in the entire Western Balkan region, including the process of normalizing relations with Kosovo, said Young.

Young, who was an official of the Department of State during the George W. Bush administration, further said that he will encourage Serbia to use its influence toward maintaining stability in the region, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

He also pointed out that there is great potential in Serbia for U.S. companies. 

Young said he will make sure the U.S. industry is in a good position for catering to Serbia's growing interest in meeting its defense needs, by using U.S. equipment and cooperating with the U.S. defense industry.

In response to Democrat Senator Chris Murphy's question whether he would be willing to boost the business deals of President Trump or members of his family in Serbia via the U.S. embassy, Young said he knows about the visits by Trump's son to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia only from media reports because the State Department, when he asked that question, did not give him access to confidential information. 

The U.S. has not had an ambassador in Serbia since January 2025, when Christopher Hill stepped down from the post. U.S. President Donald Trump in March 2025 nominated Mark Brnovich to serve as ambassador to Serbia, but his nomination was withdrawn in October of the same year. Brnovich passed away in January 2026.