Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister said Thursday that his government does not endorse Russian emigres living in the country who stage protests against the Kremlin.
Tens of thousands of Russians fled to Serbia after President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and then a partial mobilization of troops later that year. An estimated 150,000 Russians currently reside in Serbia, where they do not need a visa to enter.
“Among the Russians in Serbia, there are people who, I can say, do not take advantage of our hospitality as they should,” Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency in an interview.
“They are involved in political activities and have even participated in some protests against the [Russian] government,” he said. “Many of them believe that they have the right to use Serbian soil to speak negatively about the Russian government or state.”
Vulin, who was speaking on the sidelines of this week’s BRICS summit, said Serbia remains “friendly” to Russia and the Kremlin, adding that his country would not allow itself “to be used as a tool against President Putin or the Russian government.”
“Please, come, work, live, do whatever you think is necessary. But leave politics aside,” the official added, noting that Serbia still welcomed “any Russian citizens.”
Vulin spoke a week after Serbian authorities reportedly ordered an anti-Kremlin activist Anton Bobryshev to leave the country over national security risks. Bobryshev, who has lived in Serbia for eight years on a residency permit, said he believes the decision was political.
Serbia condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has sought to limit contact with the Kremlin. The EU has warned Serbia that keeping strong ties with Russia was “incompatible” with its aspiration to join the block.
Vulin represented Serbia at the BRICS summit in Kazan after Vucic said a scheduling conflict would prevent him from attending the annual event.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.