Lavrov frames Western pressure on Serbia as a choice between sanctions or upheaval
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserts that Western powers are pressuring Serbia to choose between joining sanctions against Russia or facing a coup. The commentary, relayed by RIA News, emphasizes a broader pattern the diplomat attributes to Western policy toward Moscow and its allies.
Lavrov contends that Washington was uneasy when Ukraine sought to maintain normal and practical relations with Russia in recent years. He claims that this discomfort translated into a push to pull Ukraine into the European Union with a stark slogan: either align with the West or stand with Russia. The message, in his view, was meant to create a clear binary choice for Kyiv and its policymakers.
Turning to Serbia, Lavrov says a similar directive is being thrust upon Belgrade. He describes a scenario where Belgrade is urged to join sanctions against Russia and to concede on Kosovo in exchange for prospects of joining the European Union. He characterizes this as a coercive tactic aimed at compelling Serbia to sever ties with Moscow and to realign its foreign policy under Western auspices.
In Lavrov’s assessment, the alternative presented to Serbia is a veiled threat of instability and political upheaval should it refuse to comply with Western preferences. He frames the threat as a tool used to induce regime change or to destabilize the country if it does not submit to the suggested course of action.
In Belgrade, tensions escalated after supporters of the opposition bloc Serbia Against Violence rejected the election results from December 17 and demonstrated outside key government buildings. The protests led to occupation of public stairways in front of Belgrade’s main city hall and the executive offices. By late December 24, police dispersed the demonstrators, cleared the area, and established a security cordon around the premises.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the nation with urgency, stating that the attempted assault on the Belgrade Parliament was driven by external forces aiming to undermine Serbia’s sovereignty. He cautioned that foreign interference had the potential to destabilize the country and erode public trust in its institutions.
Following the initial events, citizens continued gathering in protest, signaling enduring domestic friction over the electoral outcome and the broader direction of Serbia’s foreign policy alignment. The episode underscored persistent divisions within the country regarding its strategic orientation toward Russia and the European Union, as well as the broader regional implications for stability in the Balkans.
Public commentary from the Russian Foreign Ministry added to the discourse when Maria Zakharova described the Serbian protests as reflecting Western templates and tactics previously observed in other demonstrations. Her statements reinforced arguments about foreign influence shaping domestic political mobilization in Serbia and other states in the region. The broader dialogue continued with President Vucic revisiting the possibility of significant political change, noting the potential for violence as a factor in the evolving political landscape.
The series of events in Serbia, together with Lavrov’s remarks, highlights the charged atmosphere surrounding national sovereignty, external influence, and the contrasting paths offered by EU integration and ties with Russia. Observers note that the situation remains dynamic, with ongoing public demonstrations and official statements shaping the future course of Serbia’s political and diplomatic posture. (RIA News)