Russian President Vladimir Putin reinforced strategic ties with Serbia this week at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
A notable meeting took place between Putin and Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, even as the latter faces increasing Western scrutiny.
Vulin, a former intelligence chief currently under U.S. sanctions, reaffirmed Serbia’s allegiance to Russia.
This included pledges that the Balkan nation will never impose sanctions on Moscow or join NATO.
“Serbia is not only a strategic partner of Russia; Serbia is also Russia’s ally,” he declared. “This is why pressure on us by the West is huge.”
The self-identified socialist described the meeting as a “great honor” and a “privilege.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin pose for a photo on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, Sept. 4, 2024. The U.S. has sanctioned Vulin, accusing him of illegal activities and aiding Russia’s influence in the Balkans.
Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Vulin’s comments highlight Serbia’s delicate balancing act between its aspirations for European Union membership and its historic ties with Russia.
Serbia has been a candidate for EU membership since 2012, and joining the EU continues to be a strategic goal for the country.
The EU is Serbia’s largest trading partner—up to 63% annually—but Serbia relies heavily on Russia for energy supplies, particularly natural gas.
Today’s meeting occurred mere days after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Serbia, during which Belgrade signed a deal to purchase French Rafale fighter jets.
Initially, this move was interpreted as a potential shift away from Moscow.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had also earlier visited Belgrade for the signing of a tentative EU agreement on raw materials vital for green energy transitions.
Despite these developments, Vulin’s meeting with Putin seemed to reaffirm Serbia’s ongoing alignment with Russia.
“Serbia has not become and will not become part of anti-Russian hysteria,” he said.
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on Sept. 4, 2024. The meeting took place shortly after Serbia signed a deal to buy French fighter jets, signaling a potential shift away from Moscow.
Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Vulin in July, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking, and misuse of public office to further Russia’s influence in the region.
Vulin has been awarded two medals of honor by Russia, further illustrating the depth of his ties to Moscow.
Putin expressed optimism about Serbia’s role in strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries—most prominently in Russia’s Far East, a region the Kremlin is eager to develop.
Western nations, notably the U.S. and EU, are working to integrate the Balkans, wary of Russia exploiting regional tensions to distract from the Ukraine conflict. The Balkans, still marked by the 1990s conflicts, remain a strategic battleground for both Moscow and the West.
Russia has historically supported Serbia in various conflicts; notably during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Boris Yeltsin’s leadership opposed NATO’s bombing of Serbia during the Kosovo War in 1999, which further solidified the alliance between the two nations.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
