WE UNCOVER! Moscow's new strategy: PUTIN'S PLAN FOR SERBIA AND THE BALKANS!

Foto: ST/N. PANČIĆ

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has defined Serbia and the Balkans as one of Moscow's key action areas in the next ten years. According to the information our journalists found out from their sources in the diplomatic circles well acquainted with the plans Kremlin, Russia's strategy has been summarised into five key points, which represent a co-operation of geostrategic, energy and political actions.

Along with the Balkans, as one of the places where the interests of Russia and NATO touch and intertwine, Belarus, Ukraine, the Middle East, the territory of the land border between Russia and China, as well as the Arctic and Antarctica have been marked as areas of importance.

The strategy made in Moscow in accordance with Putin's orders elaborates in detail all the scenarios of possible events in the mentioned regions in the following period, as well as the directions of Russian actions.

The role of Hungary

According to our sources, it is especially important that Belgrade will still have Russia's continued and widespread support in their battle for Kosovo-Metohija.

- It is very important what Moscow showed in these previous days, during the crisis in northern Kosovo-Metohija, near the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative border crossings, caused by Kurti's order to remove vehicle registration plates.  At that point, Russia sent a very clear message that they would stand behind every action taken by Belgrade, including a military one, in the event that the Albanians were to attack the Serbian people in the north of Kosovo-Metohija - the source of "Srpski Telegraf" explains.

Srdjan Graovac from the Center for Social Stability reminded us of the traditionally good relations between Serbia and Russia and emphasised:

- All of the five points of the plan are more or less related to Serbia and Republika Srpska. Russia's support is partly due to our traditionally good relations, and partly due to their political interests, which play a very important role in all of this. If we are to talk about the improvement of Russia's relations with Montenegro, the biggest problem there is certainly Montenegro's NATO membership.

Bojan Bilbija, a Politika journalist and a great connoisseur of Russian politics, emphasised that the idea of Serbia becoming the main energy hub of this part of Europe has been in existence since "South Stream".

- The interest of Russia in their gas going to Europe via Serbia is evident, and this is very important for the development of our country. If we are to talk about the support that comes from Russia when it comes to Kosovo, Russia is consistent in not recognizing the false state, just as it is consistent in supporting international law and Resolution 1244. The Russians stand firmly by their position and they will not be changing it. It is also very important that Russia supports us on our European path, although it has been said several times so far that the support is false. Moscow has a lot of friends in the EU, starting with Hungary and then spanning over many other countries. If we bear in mind that, geographically speaking, Serbia cannot be in Russian economic integrations, we can then understand that Moscow is certainly interested in having another friend in the EU. As for the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia is one of the powers that guarantees the Dayton Agreement. Lastly, Moscow certainly expects to have better relations with Montenegro's new govrenment - Bilbija states.

Clear and unequivocal

Zoran Spasić, an expert on international politics, states that Russia sees us as an ally, partner and friend:

- The course of Russian policy in the Balkans is best seen through the unambiguous support Serbia has received when it comes to Kosovo and Bosnia. In addition to this, the energy security provided by the Russian gas has contributed to us earning and becoming the most important energy hub, since we are a transit country.

Veselin Sljivancanin, an officer of the former Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) says that every Russian undertaking is important:

- Russia's support is clear and unambiguous, Serbia is happy to have President Vucic, who has made sure we have many friends around the world, whose support is important to us. You can't move forward without your friends.