Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the United States is destabilizing the Balkans by “maintaining its dominant role in the region,” according to interviews published in Serbian newspapers.
Putin made the comments on the Serbian newspapers Vecernje Novosti and Politika, which were published on January 15, ahead of his planned visit later this week. The comments were too published on the Kremlin website.
Putin’s comments underscore Moscow’s historically close ties with Serbia and Moscow’s caution towards Western influence. They also contrast with warnings in Washington and some of its European allies about Russia trying to destabilize the region, including Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia.
In the interviews, Putin recalled the bombing of Serbia by NATO in 1999 during the war in Kosovo and the declaration of independence of Kosovo from Serbia in 2008.
This declaration was condemned by Serbia and Russia, but welcomed by Western countries.
“With regard to the situation in the Balkans, the policy of the United States and some other Western nations, which aims to assert their dominant role, remains a serious destabilizing factor here,” Putin was quoted as saying.
He also claimed that Montenegro was “drawn into NATO membership”.
“As a result, the country is currently in a phase of political instability,” Putin was quoted as saying.
Montenegro, along with the United States and other countries, has accused Russia of supporting an attempted coup in 2016 as the country neared NATO membership. The Montenegrin parliament unanimously voted to join the alliance in April 2017.
“We have also repeatedly said that we viewed the policy of NATO enlargement as a holdover from the Cold War and a flawed and destructive military and political strategy,” Putin was quoted as saying.
Putin’s visit to Serbia is being closely watched in the West for clues about Moscow’s intentions in the former Yugoslavia.
Aside from Montenegro, Moscow has reportedly sought to sway public opinion in Macedonia, where the country is on the verge of a historic deal with Greece that would pave the way for membership of NATO and the European Union.
According to analysts, the highlight of Putin’s one-day visit will be a trip to the largest Orthodox Christian temple in the Balkans: St. Sava in Belgrade.
Putin and his host, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, will address thousands outside of St. Sava “as a symbol of fraternal ties,” the event organizers said.
Putin’s visit is scheduled to begin on January 17th.
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