'Techniques of Maidan coup' witnessed in Serbia: Zakharova
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According to Russia, observers found signs that the election results could have been tampered with in Serbia.
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova attends Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, January 18, 2023. (AP)
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, on Monday, that the "attempts of the collective West to shake up the situation in [Serbia] using the techniques of Maidan coups are obvious."
Zakharova further added that "the only possible reaction is to adhere to the letter and spirit of the country’s constitution and to respect the choice of the Serbian people, who voted for their country’s national interests."
On a similar note, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained that "third parties", including foreign agents, provoked this weekend's riots in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.
According to Peskov, observers "did not record any violations that could cast doubt" on the legitimacy of the elections.
"Evidently, there are processes and attempts by third forces, including from abroad, to provoke such unrest in Belgrade. This is what we are seeing," adding "We have no doubt that the leadership of the republic will maintain the rule of law in the country."
However, the spokesperson underscored that Moscow maintained a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries, particularly applies to Russia’s "ally and partner", Serbia, stressing that "Everything that happens in the country is Serbia’s own business. We have never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries and do not intend to."
Vucic warns of pro-Western 'color revolution' unfolding in Serbia
Thousands of opposition demonstrators assembled outside the Belgrade City Assembly, on Sunday, to express their dissatisfaction with the sweeping victory of Aleksandar Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) over the pro-EU Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition in last week's parliamentary elections. The protest escalated into violence when a faction of protesters tried to force open the doors of the building, leading to their dispersal by the police.
Vucic referred to the incident as an endeavor toward a "color revolution."
"There is no revolution underway,” Vucic said in a public address. “Nothing will go their way,” he continued, referring to the protesters. “Those who swear to fight against violence have shown that they are real thugs.”
The SPN coalition originated from anti-government demonstrations that followed two mass shootings in May. Although the initial focus of the protest movement was the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and intelligence chief Aleksandar Vulin, it quickly evolved to demand the overthrow of President Vucic's government.
Vucic asserted that the demonstration was financially supported by Western powers aiming to oust him from office due to his amicable ties with Russia and his refusal to relinquish Serbia's territorial claim to Kosovo, based on information obtained from foreign intelligence services.
In his Sunday address, he reiterated these accusations, expressing gratitude to unnamed "foreign services" for informing his security services about the preparations of the individuals involved.
Read more: Serbia's Vucic says Belgrade protests threaten country's independence
