Locals, church, rakki with Putin's name in Serbia

Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, already has a village named after him -- the wax figure, the new inside of the plum brandy “Putinovaka”, some cafes -- and now a church in Serbia will be called “Putin”, the AP writes one day before his visit to an official visit to Belgrade.

Residents of the village of Banstol, northwest of Serbia are looking forward to whether Putin will visit “Putin”, the church under construction.

Russian interests in the region (Balkans) are linked to his strategic position between East and West.

Of Serbia's eight neighbours, five are NATO members, four are members of the EU, and two Sosh are in the process of European integrations, the AP writes, Coha.net conveys.

Serbia has proved Russia's loyal ally even though it is in the process of membership in the European Union.

Belgrade has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia because of Ukraine and has promised it will not become a NATO member.

Analysts believe the powerful ties between the Serbian and Russian churches have a key role in the renewal of Russian influence on Serbs after Yugoslavia and its leader Josip Broz Tito from the Soviet Union and the return of strengthened ties with the West.

Fanelles with Putin's portrait are sold across the streets and in Serbia's government remain open pro-Russian ministers.

Surveys say most Serbs believe Russia is the biggest ally and donor despite the much greater economic assistance of the West and any other Balkan countries.

Putin's popularity was mostly achieved because of the support the Kremlin gives to Serbia against Kosovo independence, while the church again thinks of its “birth” and the place where there are mostly cultural and religious objects, Koha.net broadcasts.

In contrast, most Western countries have recognised Kosovo's independence declared in 2008.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej has long ago said Serbia wants good relations with Europe, the US and Russia, but if Western interests contradict our interests, there is no doubt that Russia is in the first place in this case.

The Serbian Church has testified to the loyalty and stood on the side of the Russian church on the occasion of declaring Ukrainian Church independence from Moscow. /Time.net