Serbian Government Approves Contract with Jared Kushner for Luxury Hotel Project in Belgrade
The Serbian government has approved a contract with Jared Kushner to build a luxury hotel on the site of the former defense ministry in Belgrade, marking a significant business venture with a European state as his father-in-law, Donald J. Trump, aims to return to the White House.
Kushner, in partnership with Richard Grenell, a former Trump administration aide, is pursuing a $500 million hotel project on the long-vacant site of the former Yugoslav Ministry of Defense. The deal, backed by Kushner’s Affinity Partners and the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, has sparked protests in Belgrade.
The complex, bombed by NATO forces in 1999 during the war with Kosovo, is now considered prime real estate in the heart of a transformed city. Trump had previously considered building a hotel at the same site in 2013.
Kushner, who is also planning luxury hotel projects in neighboring Albania, sees these deals in the Balkans as significant investments for his firm. The approved plan includes a museum and memorial complex to honor those affected by the NATO bombings.
While the Serbian government retains ownership of the site, the investor group has a set period to complete the project. Critics, including opposition leaders and protesters, have raised concerns about the deal, questioning the involvement of foreign entities and the historical significance of the site.
House Democrats have called for an investigation into the proposed deals, citing potential conflicts of interest as Trump seeks the Republican nomination for the presidency. However, Kushner maintains that as a private citizen, he has the right to pursue international business ventures professionally.
The approval of the contract with Kushner and his partners signifies a major development in Belgrade’s economic progress and aims to elevate the city as a premier international destination. The project is set to include a hotel, retail space, residential units, and a memorial complex, reflecting a blend of cultural respect and future prosperity.
