Russia’s national anthem was heard in Belgrade today as hundreds of Serbs, including high-ranking government officials, took part in the Victory Day celebrations, showing the political climate of a country that has long been an ally of Moscow but is trying to join Europe. Join.
During the parade in honor of the Serbs and Soviet soldiers killed in World War II, some held a giant letter Z – symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – and others held life-size cardboard photographs. of President Vladimir Putin.
Serbia, which was bombed by NATO two decades ago and has close and long-standing cultural ties with Russia, has resisted pressure to take a stand since Russia invaded Ukraine, including Western calls to join. in sanctions against Moscow.
Hundreds of people holding photos of their own people who fought in World War II gathered this morning in a city park to then walk to the cemetery.
“I’m very sad today because of the division we see in the country and abroad. A division between those who support the West and those who support Russia,” said Miroslav Milutinovic, a 70-year-old retired mechanical engineer who held the photo of his father.
The national anthems of Russia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Serbia were heard as ambassadors and ministers laid wreaths at the memorial.
Among the crowd were Serbian Parliament Speaker Ivica Dasic, Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Labor Minister Daria Kisic Tepavsievic, who are skeptical of the prospect of closer ties with the West.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a former nationalist who has become a staunch supporter of the country’s EU membership, was re-elected last month after he said in his election campaign that the European Union was a priority. The new government, which is in the process of forming after last month’s elections, is expected to exclude politicians who are openly aligned with Moscow.
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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