Oct 16, 2024 – Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin met with Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss deepening security cooperation between the two countries.
The Serbian government said the talks focused on ways to bolster ties between Serbia’s security services and their Russian counterparts. Naryshkin praised Vulin for his role in strengthening relations between the two nations, noting his efforts in his various roles, including Minister of Defense and director of Serbia’s Security and Information Agency (BIA).
“Vulin’s work has played an important part in developing strong ties between Serbian and Russian intelligence services,” Naryshkin said, according to a statement from the Serbian government.
Vulin, in turn, expressed gratitude for Russia’s support. “Russia remains a trusted partner, and we appreciate the continued cooperation,” he said after the meeting.
In addition to his meeting with Naryshkin, Vulin is expected to hold talks with other Russian officials during his visit. He will also attend a Serbian Embassy event marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade during World War II.
Vulin is one of the strongest supporters of Russia within Serbia’s political leadership. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he reiterated Serbia’s status as a strategic partner and ally of Russia.
This year, Vulin was honored by both the Russian President and the Federal Security Service of Russia for his contributions to Serbia-Russia relations. However, Vulin is also on the U.S. Department of State’s sanctions list for alleged corruption during his time leading the BIA and for his close ties to Moscow.
Serbia has maintained strong political and economic relations with Russia, refusing to join Western sanctions imposed on Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Serbia also aspires to join the European Union.
