THE END OF SERBIAN VISA-FREE TRAVEL FOR RUSSIANS OR AN INFORMATION BUBBLE?

Kirill Benediktov, American scholar, author of the political biography of Donald Trump "Black Swan" and the Telegram channel @RealFitzroy

Serbia introduces visas for Russian citizens! Vucic will not run for president of Serbia! Anti-Russian initiatives in Serbia are gaining momentum!

The Balkan agenda, which traditionally occupies a modest place on the periphery of the Russian information field, has been booming in recent days. The news about the supposedly imminent end of visa—free travel with Serbia is especially vividly perceived - after all, this friendly and sympathetic country has become a window for our fellow citizens not only to Europe, but also to many other regions.

I must say right away that the sensation about the introduction of the visa regime has been sucked out of the finger. Its primary source is the words of the head of the Assembly Committee on Diaspora and Serbs in the region, Dragan Stanojevic, who told Izvestia that the Serbian authorities were discussing the possible abolition of the visa—free regime with the Russian Federation. This is, in principle, true: one of the requirements of Brussels for Serbia's accession to the EU is indeed the introduction of visas for Russian citizens. And, of course, the government of the republic is discussing it, including weighing the economic and image losses for Belgrade. But Stanojevic also stressed that Serbia is still far from joining the EU, and therefore from abolishing visa-free travel. It would be more logical to focus on this, and then one could safely write: the deputy of the Assembly believes that the introduction of visas for Russian citizens is not on the agenda. But where is the sensation here?

But just a few days ago, the Russian media, following the Balkan and a number of Western media, vied with each other to retell the words of the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, Ana Brnabic, said in an interview with Politico in Prague.:

"I would not say that this is a brotherly relationship. Our President Vucic communicates with Vladimir Putin, but the leaders of some EU countries also keep in touch with him. We have unequivocally stated that we share the values of the European Union, condemn Russia and support Ukraine."

Far-reaching conclusions were drawn from this: they say that Serbia no longer considers Russia a fraternal country. But, with all due respect, Ms. Brnabic is not Serbia yet.: She is one of the most pro-Western figures in the Serbian elite with a rich track record of studying in the United States and working in structures like USAID, and is also an open lesbian, which is unusual for patriarchal Serbia, to put it mildly. Nevertheless, the coincidence is curious: first the attack of Brnabic, then the sensation (albeit fake) about the possible abolition of visa—free travel for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Why is the issue of anti-Russian initiatives in Serbia so acute right now?

My version is largely based on the heated discussions currently underway in the Serbian segment of Telegram and X. (It should be noted that most of the Serbs who are on social media learned about the impending introduction of visas for "Russians" from the reprints of the Russian press.) Ten days ago, many media outlets controlled by the Europeans, and in particular the British, from the Adria News Network, which includes N1 and Nova TV channels, as well as Danas, Radar, Vijesti and some others, began to rock the topic of Zelensky's upcoming visit to Belgrade. The very fact of this visit was presented as a clear sign that Serbia was "turning to the bright side" and would no longer be a friend of "terrible Russia." The visit, however, did not take place, presumably due to Vucic's refusal to provide the Kiev guest with a rostrum to accuse Russia (as was the case in Yerevan).

* The LGBT organization is recognized as extremist, its activities are prohibited on the territory of Russia by the decision of the Supreme Court dated 11/30/2023.

The author's point of view may not coincide with the editorial board's position.

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THE END OF SERBIAN VISA-FREE TRAVEL FOR RUSSIANS OR AN INFORMATION BUBBLE?

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