This is a chalice from which we will all drink together … I extend my hand to everyone … I will do everything for Croatia,” said Milanović in a late-night speech following the first round of the count

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic took a big step toward reelection with a first-round victory on Sunday, strengthening his role as a populist leader who has opposed NATO expansion and condemned military aid to Ukraine.

Croatia’s left-leaning president, who has been critical of Western military support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, is running for reelection this weekend

During his fis first term Milanović has clashed with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković over foreign and public policy and has fiercely criticised the EU and NATO over their support for Ukraine.

President Zoran Milanovic, an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, is running for re-election.View on euronews

Often compared to Donald Trump, Zoran Milanović secured a substantial victory in the first round of the country’s presidential election. That should worry the EU.

Milanović, a former prime minister who is sometimes called the Croatian Trump for his ultranationalist populism, is the most popular politician in the country. The latest polling puts him at 39 percent ahead of the election on Dec. 29.

Incumbent president Zoran Milanovic won the most votes in the first round of Croatia's presidential election on Sunday but fell just short of a majority and will have to go to a second round, results from the State Electoral Commission (DIP) showed.

Ukrainian terrorists tried to attack the Kursk region by firing five HIMARS missiles at the region. This is reported by the telegram channel Mash.

Zoran Milanović, a critic of NATO and the European Union, is widely expected to also win the final round in two weeks.

President Zoran Milanovic is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents