MOSCOW — The Kremlin expressed concern on Monday over recent anti-government protests in Serbia, suggesting they may be part of a foreign-backed effort to destabilize the country, while voicing full confidence in the Serbian leadership’s ability to maintain order.
Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that while Serbia is currently facing immense external pressure, Moscow cannot dismiss the possibility that familiar tactics associated with “colour revolutions” are being used to trigger unrest.
“Serbia is undoubtedly under unprecedented pressure. We cannot rule out the use of well-known strategies aimed at provoking colour revolutions,” said Peskov. “Nonetheless, we are confident that the Serbian leadership will restore stability and law and order in the near future.”
Tensions in Serbia escalated over the weekend when police clashed with demonstrators demanding early elections and calling for an end to President Aleksandar Vucic’s 12-year rule. The unrest is the latest in a series of protests that have swept the country in recent months, including student-led demonstrations and university closures.
Vucic, a populist leader whose second term runs until 2027, has alleged that unnamed foreign powers were behind Saturday’s protest, accusing them of attempting to destabilize the nation. He claimed the effort to “topple Serbia” had failed.
Russia maintains strong ties with Serbia and views Vucic as a key regional ally. The Serbian president was recently in Moscow on May 9, where he attended the annual Red Square military parade commemorating the Soviet victory in World War Two.
While the Kremlin did not directly accuse any specific countries of involvement in the unrest, its warning reflects ongoing Russian concerns over foreign influence in nations with close ties to Moscow. Serbian authorities have yet to comment further on any external involvement.