Serbia and NATO Train Together

May 12, 2026, 18:02
EuropeInternational

Introduction

Serbia and NATO are doing their first military training together. Soldiers from many countries are helping to keep the area peaceful.

Main Body

The training started on May 12 and ends on May 23. About 600 soldiers from Serbia, Italy, Romania, and Türkiye are there. Other countries like the USA and UK are watching. In the past, Serbia and NATO had problems. They fought in 1999. Serbia also does not agree with NATO about Kosovo. But now, the two groups are working together. Serbia does not want to join any side in a war. They buy weapons from NATO, Russia, and China. Serbia says this training helps peace. NATO says they respect Serbia's choice.

Conclusion

Serbia and NATO are working together for the first time, but Serbia is still neutral.

Learning

🌍 How to describe 'Who' and 'Where'

Look at how the text groups people and places. To reach A2, you need to connect countries to their people and actions.

The Pattern: [Place/Group] → [Action]

  • Serbia and NATO → are doing training
  • Soldiers → are helping
  • USA and UK → are watching

🕰️ Past vs. Now

Notice the shift in time. We use different word shapes to show if something happened long ago or is happening today.

Past (Finished)Now (Current)
Had problemsAre working together
FoughtIs neutral

Quick Tip: When you see -ed (like started), it usually means the action is over. When you see -ing (like training), it is happening right now.

Vocabulary Learning

Serbia (n.)
A country in Europe.
Example:Serbia is a country in Europe.
NATO (n.)
An international military alliance.
Example:NATO is a military alliance of many countries.
training (n.)
An activity where people learn skills.
Example:The soldiers went to training to learn new skills.
soldiers (n.)
People who serve in the army.
Example:Soldiers protect their country.
countries (n.)
Different nations.
Example:Many countries joined the event.
peaceful (adj.)
Not having fighting.
Example:The area is peaceful after the training.
May (n.)
The fifth month of the year.
Example:The training started on May 12.
watching (v.)
Observing something.
Example:They are watching the training from afar.
past (adj.)
Earlier than now.
Example:In the past, the two sides fought.
problems (n.)
Issues that need solving.
Example:They had many problems before.
fought (v.)
Engaged in a battle.
Example:They fought in 1999.
agree (v.)
To have the same opinion.
Example:They do not agree on Kosovo.
side (n.)
A group in a conflict.
Example:They do not want to join any side.
war (n.)
A serious fight between groups.
Example:A war can cause many problems.
buy (v.)
To purchase something.
Example:They buy weapons from NATO.
weapons (n.)
Tools used for fighting.
Example:Soldiers use weapons to defend.
choice (n.)
A decision between options.
Example:Serbia has the choice to stay neutral.
neutral (adj.)
Not supporting any side.
Example:Serbia remains neutral in the conflict.
USA (n.)
United States of America.
Example:The USA watched the training.
UK (n.)
United Kingdom.
Example:The UK also watched.
Russia (n.)
A large country in Eurasia.
Example:Russia provides weapons to Serbia.
China (n.)
A large country in Asia.
Example:China sells weapons to many nations.
Italy (n.)
A country in Europe.
Example:Italy sent soldiers to the training.
Romania (n.)
A country in Europe.
Example:Romania is one of the participating countries.
Türkiye (n.)
A country that spans Europe and Asia.
Example:Türkiye joined the training.
area (n.)
A part of land.
Example:The training area is large.
first (adj.)
The earliest in time.
Example:This is their first training together.
keep (v.)
To maintain something.
Example:They keep the area peaceful.
help (v.)
To give support.
Example:The training helps peace.
respect (v.)
To value someone or something.
Example:NATO respects Serbia's choice.
peace (n.)
A state without fighting.
Example:They hope for peace after the training.
military (adj.)
Related to the army.
Example:They did military training.
together (adv.)
In the same place or time.
Example:They trained together.
join (v.)
To become part of a group.
Example:They do not want to join any side.