Vulin: Minister for preserving Serbian-Russian friendship

On the sidelines of the group's summit BRICS in Kazan, where the Serbian delegation is led by the Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vulin commented for RIA Novosti the warnings of the Russian services to their Serbian colleagues ahead of the mass demonstrations in Belgrade on August 10 "that mass riots are being prepared, the ultimate goal of which is a coup d'état and the overthrow of the country's leadership", writes N1.

Vulin said that "there were such activities" and that Serbia is "very grateful to the Russian special services" - the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which "informed Belgrade in a timely manner."

"We were a step ahead and quite prepared for what we were going to have to deal with." And, as you can see, now the situation is calm and stable, people are living their lives," Vulin said.

"The West does not want a free Serbia"

Vulin believes that anti-government activities "always exist" and that they "strengthen or deter, depending on the specific situation".

Vulin also said that the West "does not want to see a free and independent Serbia, led by President (Aleksandar) Vučić, one of the last independent leaders in Europe."

"And they (the West) do not want to see Serbia as it is." They would be much happier telling some puppet government to impose sanctions on Russia. And that government would say, 'Yes, great, we'll do it'. Or they would ask us to recognize Kosovo, and that government would gladly agree. Therefore, an independent Serbia is always a target. As in 1999, during the NATO aggression against Serbia, we were a target then, and we are still a target today. But we want to be free," Vulin said.

BRICS as a friend of Serbia

The Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vulin, who as the personal representative of President Aleksandar Vučić leads the Serbian delegation at the Summit in Kazan, attended the official reception arranged by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for the participants and guests of the 16th BRICS Summit.

As announced by the Government, before the start of the reception, Vulin spoke with Putin, President of China Xi Jinping, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro.

He pointed out that Serbia feels among friends in BRICS, which, as he said, offers freedom of choice, which is an important alternative for Belgrade.

"For the first time, we can choose. We should learn that, after all, we can choose. This is very important for us. I am very interested in learning more about BRICS and I hope that there will be a place for Serbia in it," Vulin told the Russian agency.

"My president admires Russia"

Vulin pointed out that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, is a great supporter of friendship with Russia and that he admires its history and culture.

"My president, he really admires the history of Russia, its culture, and he is a staunch supporter of friendship between Russia and Serbia and, if I may say, President Vucic and President (Russian Vladimir) Putin are friends," Vulin said.

He added that Vučić plans to participate in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism in the Russian capital.

"That's why I expect a meeting between President Vučić and President Putin in Moscow, but whether they will meet in third countries, I cannot say now," Vulin said.

Strengthening of security cooperation between Russia and Serbia

Vulin arrived during his visit to Russia to meet with the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia, Sergey Naryshkin, on the further improvement and strengthening of cooperation between the security structures of Serbia and Russia.

He also met with the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Aleksandar Bortnikova, and discussed "continuing cooperation between the security structures of Serbia and Russia and facing common challenges", announced the Government of Serbia.

The announcement states that Naryshkin highlighted the efforts of Vulin, who, while performing the functions of Minister of Defense, Interior and Director of the Security and Information Agency, influenced the development of good relations between the Serbian and Russian services.

Borotnikov thanked Vulin for his "professionalism and past contribution to the improvement of cooperation between the Serbian and Russian services," the statement said.

Vulin said that "Serbia is grateful to Russia, the Federal Security Service and Director Bortnikov for their continuous support to Belgrade in all difficult issues."

Minister under US sanctions

Alexander Vulin has been under the sanctions of the United States of America since July 2023. He is suspected of corrupt activities, primarily in the spread of Russian malignant influence in Serbia.

According to the report, Vulin is involved in international organized crime, drug trafficking and abuse of public office.

"Vulin is responsible for the corrupt acts that enabled Russian activities in the region." These acts include using his authority for personal gain, including involvement in a drug-trafficking ring. He used his position to support Russia, facilitating Russia's malicious activities that degrade the security and stability of the Western Balkans," the explanation states.

All his assets in America have been blocked, the US said.

"All assets and interests in assets of the person described above located in the United States are frozen and must be reported to OFAC." In addition, all assets that are more than 50 percent owned by the sanctioned person, indirectly or directly, are blocked," the explanation states.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons who perform certain transactions or activities with a penalized person may be subject to sanctions or enforcement action, according to the conclusion of the US Department of the Treasury.