Russia has accused the West of instigating a popular revolution in Serbia, the scene of violent protests by opposition to President Aleksander Vucic on Sunday.
"The attempts of the collective West to heat up the atmosphere in the country using the techniques of 'Maidan-style coups' are evident," alluding to the popular revolutions of 2004 and 2014 in Ukraine, said Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the ministry. of Foreign Affairs, to the official RIA Nóvosti agency.
The diplomat stressed that "the only possible reaction is strict compliance with the letter and spirit of the country's Constitution and respect for the choice of the Serbian people who voted in favor of the national interests of their country."
A week ago the Kremlin celebrated the victory of Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which obtained around 47% of the votes in the elections. "Of course, we celebrate Mr. Vucic's success. We hope that this will contribute to the further development of the republic," said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov.
At least 38 people were arrested and eight police officers seriously injured when the SPN opposition coalition tried to force their way into Belgrade City Hall last night.
For a week now, the opposition has been demanding a repeat of the general elections held on December 17 due to allegations of fraud.
The Serbian president assured that the authorities of the Balkan country will defend the institutions and preserve peace, and accused the opposition of violence, which does not recognize the results and demands the annulment of the elections.
Moscow accuses the West of inciting popular revolutions like those that took place in Ukraine, Georgia or Kyrgyzstan every time popular protests break out against leaders close to the Kremlin.
In a clear show of support for Vucic, the Russian ambassador in Belgrade, Alexandr Botsan-Jarchenko, met with the Serbian president on Monday.
Serbia, a candidate country for entry into the European Union, maintains excellent relations with Russia, its historical ally which, unlike Western countries, has not imposed sanctions for the war in Ukraine.
