“Serbia never sanctions Russia and never in NATO”, Vulin and Putin also discuss the gas supply

“Serbia is an ally of Russia and will never impose sanctions against Moscow or join NATO”, said the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin, in the meeting with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in Russia.

The former head of the BIA is under sanctions from the United States of America and the United Kingdom for close ties with Russia, as well as for corruption.

Vulin’s statements openly deny the official position of Serbia that it wants to join the European Union. Also, Vulin denied the statements of the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, that he made a few days ago in Prague, denying that he has close relations with the Russian president.

He also rejected the idea that his country’s candidacy for membership in the European Union was a “Trojan Horse” for Moscow and said that they are on the way to the EU.

“It is a great honor for me to have the privilege to speak with you,” Vulin told Putin. “Please believe me when I say that it is a great encouragement for all Serbs, wherever they live. Serbia is not only a strategic partner of Russia, Serbia is also an ally of Russia”, said Vulin, who added that for this “reason” Serbia is under pressure from the West.

Vulin and Putin met in Vladivostok on the sidelines of an economic forum designed to attract foreign investment and introduce Russia to them. Greeting Vulin as the two sat down for talks, Putin expressed hope that Serbia’s deputy prime minister will be able to “closely look at and assess the possibilities of cooperation with such a large and promising region” as Russia’s Far East.

Vulin told Putin that Serbia’s close ties with Russia will continue in the future.

“A Serbia led by Aleksandar Vucic is a Serbia that will never become a member of NATO, that will never impose sanctions against the Russian Federation and that will never allow its territory to be used for anti-Russian actions”, he said.

“Serbia has not become and will not become part of the anti-Russian hysteria,” Vulin said.

Meanwhile, Putin said he intended to discuss a gas supply contract with Serbia that expires in March 2025 with the Serbian deputy prime minister.

Serbia is largely dependent on gas supplies from Russia, and its oil monopoly NIS is majority-owned by Russia’s Gazpromneft.

In a statement, Vulin’s office did not mention the gas supply talks, but said Vulin had assured Putin about Serbia’s relations with Russia.

Vulin’s visit to Russia comes just days after Belgrade and France’s Dassault Aviation agreed to buy 12 new Rafale fighter jets for 2.7 billion euros. This was initially seen as an attempt by the West to sever Serbia from its traditional ally, Russia, but a few days later Vulin traveled to Russia to confirm that nothing has changed in their relationship. Russia is Serbia’s main arms supplier.

Also, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Belgrade earlier for the signing of an agreement on raw materials needed in the green transition.

The US imposed sanctions on Vulin last July, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and abuse of public office and aiding Russia’s influence in the fragile-peace Balkans.

Vulin has received two medals of honor from Russia.

US sanctions against individuals and companies in the Balkans are designed to counter efforts to undermine peace and stability in the volatile region and Russia’s “malign” influence.

The West has stepped up efforts to lure the troubled region into its fold, fearing that Russia could foment unrest to divert attention from the war in Ukraine. /TheGeopost/