The news that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic fell ill during his visit to the United States at the weekend and abruptly cut short his trip reverberated through Belgrade like a political earthquake.

According to the official version of the story, Vucic experienced severe chest pain and high blood pressure while in Florida, prompting an urgent return to Belgrade.

He was admitted to hospital in the Serbian capital on Saturday, where his condition was deemed stable, but doctors advised rest, and all upcoming appointments were postponed.

But before the presidential plane even touched ground in Belgrade, speculation was rife: What was the real purpose of the trip? Was it an official or a private visit? Had Vucic truly fallen ill, or was that story a cover for a failed diplomatic endeavor?

Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, who accompanied Vucic to Florida, said that the purpose of the visit had been to address economic issues.

Yet the event at which Serbia's top leadership hoped to resolve "state problems" was a meeting of the Republican National Committee and a donor dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump.

Vucic allegedly intended to use the occasion for an informal encounter with Trump.

Ivan Vujacic, Serbia's long-time ambassador to the

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