Seal in Moscow calls EU sanctions against Russia “hisister”

Serbian Interior Minister, who is known for his pro-Russian and anti-Western positions, said he told Russian top diplomat Sergei Lavrov that “Serbia is the only state in Europe that has not imposed sanctions and was not part of anti-Russian hysteria”.

Serbia, which is officially seeking membership in the European Union, has been moving away from its path to the EU for years and is turning more towards traditional Slav ally, Russia, but also China.

Minister Vulin is seen as Moscow's “man” within the Serbian government.

It has defended the creation of the Serbian “world” that would unite all Serbs in the Balkans under a flag led by President Aleksandar Vuciq.

The latter reacted sharply Monday during an interview with British public radio, the BBC, when asked about contacts it holds with Moscow and after the journalist mentioned Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's charge that it is Moscow's interest to shift the conflict elsewhere to destabilise Europe.

By raising his voice, Vuciq said “s I have been talking to them (Russia) for a long time. For the last time I talked to Putin three or four months ago about the problem of gas supply. They (Kosovo) just want to exploit Russia by talking about it. Everyone knows that these charges are total failure and brutal lies. We have a neutral army, but in the meantime we'll take care of ourselves”.

The Serbian president met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on 18 August in Brussels under the EU-brokered dialogue. The meeting over five hours ended without agreement, though it was largely held for easing tensions on July 31st, when Serbs in northern Kosovo blocked the roads in response to the Kosovo government's decision on reciprocal measures, including that of converting plates issued by Serbia with license plates from the Republic of Kosovo.

Asked about Volin's visit to Moscow, which the journalist called “interesting” for the timing at which it is under way, the Serbian president said “You believe it is interesting. But, wasn't it interesting when Carl Nehammer, Austria's leader, was there, or it wasn't interesting when Turkish president, the second most powerful of all NATO visits Moscow, you say it is only interesting when one of Serbia's interim government ministers is visiting Moscow”, the Serbian president said.

Mr. Vuciq recalled that Serbia has condemned the attack in Ukraine to the UN.

“Yes, it is true that we are traditional friends and we have good relations, but are we their dolls, we are not”, the Serbian leader said.

Serbian technical government member Aleksandar Vulin, however, has spoken openly about how Serbia should abandon its EU membership target and instead address Moscow, and he has often attacked Serbia's neighbours and their leaders, calling them with humiliating names.

Last year, Mr. Volin had created a “working group” with Nikolai Pattrusevo, the powerful secretary of the Kremlin Security Council, to fight “colour revolutions” or mass protests that have led to the overthrow of regimes in countries of the former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, Middle East and Asia.

According to the news agency “Associated Press”, independent Serbian media reported that Mr. Vulin at the end of last year handed over the wiretaps from a meeting held in Belgrade by members of the Russian opposition. Russian opposition, having found it difficult to hold such meetings in Russia, chose Belgrade to meet because they do not need visas to enter Serbia.

Shortly after that, some of those attending the meeting held in Belgrade were arrested in Russia.

“Associated Press” writes that Mr. Vulin was unconvincing when he denied to have handed over Mr. Ptrusev, tapes with the Belgrade meeting record.

Serbian opposition officials have questioned the purpose of Mr. Volin's visit to Moscow, while the new Serbian government is expected to be formed after general elections held in April. Most believe his trip to Russia was organised by Moscow as a way to pressure Belgrade to include it in the new cabinet.

Russian top diplomat Sergei Lavrov was scheduled to visit Belgrade in June, but Serbia's neighbours who are NATO members refused to allow his plane to fly over their territory.

Minister Vullin said in a statement from Moscow on Monday that he -- <x0 mindfully regret the fact that Minister Lavrov was prevented from visiting Belgrade in June by the will of other countries, stressing that by stopping Minister Lavrov's official visit to Serbia, all principles of international law have been violated.” / VOA

Part of this material is received by AP