Kremlin praises Vučić after student movement’s victory
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
The Kremlin praised the role of Aleksandar Vučić, its Serbian ally who was defeated in the parliamentary election by a student-backed movement. Moscow hopes the new leaders will preserve energy, economic and military co-operation with Russia, despite Serbia’s European ambitions, reports Sowetan.
The Kremlin on Monday praised outgoing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s role in relations between Belgrade and Moscow, after his party lost the parliamentary election to a student-backed movement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said Russia hoped Vučić would continue to contribute to bilateral relations, Reuters reports.
Peskov also called on the new political forces set to govern to continue co-operation with Moscow, saying it was in Serbia’s interests. Russia traditionally supplies a significant share of the country’s energy.
Serbia aspires to join the European Union but has not adopted EU sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. It has maintained close economic, political and military ties with Moscow. Vučić, who has served as prime minister or president since 2014, said he would remain active in politics.
Moscow’s remarks follow Aleksandar Vučić’s recognition of the student movement’s victory in the parliamentary election, reported on 25 October after Serbia’s parliamentary election.
