Dubrovnik on high alert as Zelensky arrives

(Photo: President Of Ukraine from Україна/Public domain)

Dubrovnik is preparing for the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will attend the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit today.

The historic city is under tight security measures, with road closures, suspended ferry services, and school cancellations. As the city geared up for the high-profile visit, locals express mixed reactions to the disruptions.

On Wednesday, Dubrovnik will host the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit, with Ukrainian President Zelensky in attendance. All parking spaces around the historic centre of Dubrovnik have been closed, and the city’s cleaning crews are busy preparing the area.

“We started clearing waste bins from collection points on Monday, continued on Tuesday, and overnight we will remove the remaining containers and baskets. By Thursday morning, all bins will be returned,” said Mihaela Mikulandra, the director of the city’s waste management service.

The ferry to Lokrum will not run on Wednesday, and the entire city of Dubrovnik will be subject to special traffic regulations, according to HRT.

“It’s important to note that the disruption to traffic will last for less than 24 hours,” said the Mayor, Mato Franković.

Two secondary schools, the Grammar School and the Tourism and Hospitality School, will not have classes on Wednesday.

“For us, that means 580 students, and for the grammar school, it’s about another 500, which is a fairly large number of students, plus staff,” explained Antun Perušina, the headmaster of the Tourism and Hospitality School.

Experts emphasise that Dubrovnik is welcoming a high-profile guest under constant threat.

“When it comes to security measures, from route control and food and drink inspections to counter-explosive measures, border monitoring, and the surveillance of both foreign and local individuals… really, every precaution you can imagine is being taken, especially in today’s age of drones and anti-drone technology, as well as snipers, counter-snipers, the navy, and the air force—all are on standby.

I estimate around 1,500 people could be involved, though that is a very rough estimate,” said Bono Marjanović, a security expert.

All of this is happening during what is still the tourist season. Currently, Dubrovnik is hosting around 14,000 visitors, and some locals are expressing their frustration.

Dubrovnik

“I live in the Old Town; nobody thinks about us, we’re left to fend for ourselves,” one man complained.

“The season isn’t over yet, and showing off Croatia’s beauty could be done in other locations,” another Dubrovnik resident added.

Dubrovnik locals have only witnessed such high levels of security twice before: in 2003, when Pope John Paul II visited and held mass at the Gruž port, and in 2006, when U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney came to the city.

In addition to President Zelensky, several other high-profile leaders are expected to attend the summit, including the President of Slovenia, Kosovo and Montenegro, as well as the Croatian Prime Minister, and the Prime Ministers of Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Foreign Ministers will also attend and other EU dignitaries will also be present.