Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has accused British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and other Western politicians of seeking to destabilise the situation in the Balkans.
Aleksandar Vučić made the comment amid growing Western criticism of his regime following the disputed 17 December snap general election, and after Cameron described him as “Russia’s proxy” in the region.
Speaking at an event at the Russian House in Belgrade, Vučić denied that he was a Russian proxy. He emphasised that his government would continue to pursue an “independent policy” towards Russia and other countries. He went on to say that the West was behind attempts to destabilise the region. He said in comments widely reported by local media:
“Serbia prides itself on its independence, and that is why I am disappointed by the statement of British Foreign Minister Cameron that Serbia is a protectorate of Russia, as well as the stories that we will be the ones destabilising the region. There is talk that we will destabilise the region. It seems to me that many others are working on this with wholehearted help from those who are lecturing us.”
He added these words in an apparent reference to Western diplomats, who have been increasingly critical of Serbia since the December general election.
Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia, despite having to do so as an EU candidate country. At an event at the Russian House, Vucic said Belgrade would continue its “independent policy” towards Russia.
Vučić also said that everyone in the region is arming themselves, including Serbia. Defence Minister Milos Vucevic recently floated the idea of returning compulsory military service for Serbs.
