Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin expressed gratitude for the strong security partnership with Russia, underscoring their ongoing collaboration on the global stage, as per an official statement released on Tuesday. Vulin, a former intelligence chief, shared his remarks following a meeting with Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Moscow, as confirmed by a government communication. During the meeting, Kolokoltsev briefed Vulin on various challenges, including efforts to marginalize Russia’s involvement in international law enforcement organizations like Interpol. Vulin emphasized the indispensable role of Russia in combating transnational crime, cautioning that actions taken against Moscow could compromise the effectiveness of these efforts.
In the face of sanctions imposed by the United States in 2023, targeting alleged corruption during Vulin’s tenure as intelligence head, he has since assumed the role of deputy prime minister. Vulin has consistently championed the concept of the “Serbian world,” advocating for the unity of Serbs from different regions, a stance that has drawn comparisons to Russia’s “Russian world” ideology. Despite being a candidate for European Union membership since 2012, Serbia’s heavy reliance on Russian gas has created complexities in their international relationships. While condemning Russia’s incursion into Ukraine at the UN, Belgrade has refrained from imposing sanctions on the Kremlin, highlighting the delicate balancing act in their foreign policy approach.
