Recently, Serbia welcomed a new government into power, featuring officials with pro-Russian leanings who are currently under US sanctions, as reported by the Balkan service of Radio Liberty.
Among them is Aleksandar Vulin, the former head of Serbia’s Security and Information Agency (BIA), akin to Russia’s FSB, who now serves as Deputy Prime Minister. Another key figure is Nenad Popović, appointed as Minister without Portfolio.
Heading the government is Miloš Vučević, a former Minister of Defense and leader of the Serbian Progressive Party. In a post-election interview, Vučević emphasized Serbia’s enduring friendship with Russia, viewing its people as fraternal, much like the Ukrainian populace. He also affirmed that Serbia will not enforce anti-Russian sanctions.
Nevertheless, Vučević stressed that Serbia remains committed to its strategic goal of EU membership and aims to uphold positive relations with the US.
Aleksandar Vulin stepped down from his BIA position in November 2023, citing pressure from the US and EU, who threatened sanctions against Serbia. He has been linked to the denial of residency permits to Russian anti-war activists. In 2021, Vulin provided wiretaps of conversations involving Russian opposition figures in Serbia to Patrushev, potentially leading to the arrest and conviction of former Open Russia leader, Andrey Pivovarov.
Source: theins.ru