Russian ambassador in Belgrade warns of Western interference in Serbia’s elections

Russia’s ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandar Bocan-Harchenko, has warned that the West may try to interfere in Serbia’s electoral process, stressing that after the elections “provocations or new attempts at a color revolution cannot be ruled out”.

The remarks were made in an interview with the Russian outlet Sputnik, as the Serbian daily Danas reports.

According to Harchenko, one of the West’s main grievances remains President Aleksandar Vučić’s close relations with Russia — Vučić has, despite continued pressure from the European Union, refused to join the anti-Russian sanctions.

The ambassador also said Russia would send observers to the elections, in line with the practice of reciprocal observation through the OSCE, and expressed hope that stability would be preserved after the vote.

Parliamentary elections in Serbia are held on October 25 and are considered decisive for the country’s political future.