The Kremlin has praised Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for his contribution to relations between Moscow and Belgrade following an election defeat for his party by a student-backed political movement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed the result on Monday, expressing hope that Serbia’s incoming political leadership would continue to develop relations with Russia.
The election outcome marks a significant setback for Moscow, which has maintained close ties with Vucic throughout his years in Serbian politics. The result also follows the defeat of Russian ally Viktor Orban in Hungary six months earlier.
Vucic’s Party Suffers Major Electoral Setback
Serbia entered a new political phase on Monday after Vucic’s party suffered a heavy defeat at the ballot box.
The result prompted celebrations across the country, with supporters of the student-backed movement marking the electoral outcome in Belgrade and elsewhere.
Vucic has held senior positions in Serbian politics as prime minister or president since 2014 and has frequently visited Moscow.
Despite the scale of the defeat, uncertainty remains over how the student-backed political forces will govern and what their victory will mean for Serbia’s foreign relations.
Kremlin Says Vucic Can Continue Supporting Bilateral Relations
Peskov said Moscow recognised Vucic’s contribution to relations between the two countries and expected him to remain involved in politics despite the electoral setback.
“We greatly appreciate the contribution that Mr Vucic has made to the development of our bilateral relations. We are aware that Mr Vucic will remain active in politics, and we hope that, even while in opposition, he will continue to contribute to the development of our bilateral relations,” Peskov told reporters.
He also said Russia hoped the incoming leadership would take a constructive approach towards maintaining co-operation with Moscow.
Peskov added that Russia intended to continue supporting the development of relations with Belgrade, while noting that maintaining bilateral ties required co-operation from both sides.
Energy and Political Ties Remain Important to Moscow
Russia has traditionally been a major energy supplier to Serbia and has maintained economic, political and military ties with the Balkan country.
Serbia has aspirations to join the European Union but has not joined EU-backed sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.
The country’s relationship with Moscow has therefore remained an important part of its foreign policy, even as it pursues closer integration with the European bloc.
Peskov said Russia hoped Serbia’s new political leadership would recognise that continued co-operation with Moscow served Serbian interests.
“As for the new political force that will come to power as a result of the elections, we wish to express our hope that its actions will also be constructively directed towards the further development of relations and that these new political forces will understand that co-operation with Russia is in Serbia’s interests, because it benefits Serbia,” he said.
Kremlin Pledges Continued Engagement With Belgrade
Peskov reiterated that Moscow intended to maintain its relationship with Serbia following the change in the country’s political landscape.
“For our part, we intend to continue to do everything we can to foster the development of our relations with Belgrade. But, as you know, it takes two to tango,” he said.
The Kremlin’s comments came as Serbia’s new student-backed political movement prepared to take on greater responsibility following its electoral victory.
