The Russian president praised Serbia’s decision not to impose sanctions on Moscow, criticized Western policies toward the Serbs and mentioned his meeting with Milorad Dodik.
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Vladimir Putin spoke about relations between Russia and Serbia, as well as Aleksandar Vučić’s political future. In his remarks, he praised Belgrade’s approach toward Moscow and accused Western countries of treating the Serbian people unfairly.
In a speech delivered on October 1 at the Valdai International Forum, the Kremlin chief said that Russia appreciates the fact that Serbia did not join the sanctions against it. Putin also expressed hope that Aleksandar Vučić will become Serbia’s next prime minister.
According to the Russian president, Serbia’s leadership is interested in maintaining cooperation with Moscow. He said Russia would respond positively if Belgrade continued such a policy.
Putin claims that the Serbs were divided against their will
Part of the speech was also devoted to the position of the Serbian people in Europe and their relationship with Western countries.
Putin claimed that the Serbs have been treated unfairly in recent decades and that they have been dispersed across several states against their will.
The Russian president said he did not understand the policy that, in his view, the West has pursued toward the Serbs, describing their division as unjust.
During this part of his remarks, he also referred to his recent meeting with Milorad Dodik and the Dayton Agreement.
Putin stated that the way this agreement has been implemented demonstrates, in his view, unequal treatment of the Serbs. These remain political claims by the Russian president and are not independently verified conclusions.
Russia seeks to maintain ties with Belgrade
Putin’s remarks came at a time when relations between Russia and Western countries remain tense because of the war in Ukraine.
He highlighted Serbia’s decision not to impose sanctions on Russia and signaled that Moscow is ready to continue cooperation with Belgrade.
The public expression of his wish for Vučić to take the position of prime minister indicates that Putin supports continuity in relations with Serbia’s current leadership. However, his statement does not confirm that Vučić will take the post.
The impact of the remarks on regional developments
Putin’s reference to the division of the Serbs may also be viewed in the context of developments in the Balkans, particularly relations between Serbia and Kosovo and the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the reported remarks, the Russian president did not present a new proposal for the borders or a concrete political plan regarding Kosovo. His references focused on his meeting with Dodik and the Dayton Agreement.
Consequently, the remarks may be assessed as part of Moscow’s regional policy, but they do not constitute the announcement of a new territorial initiative.
