Gas supplies, defense, and the Kosovo issue. These are the topics of the talks between presidents of Russia and Serbia that took place in Sochi today. The Kremlin called Aleksandar Vucic's visit to Russia long-awaited and important. It's no less significant for Belgrade that values relations with Russia and thinks highly of its leader. According to Vucic, Belgrade thinks that if Putin was Russian President in 1999, nobody would've dared to bomb Yugoslavia.
Andrey Grigoryev reports from Sochi about further development of the strategic partnership.
The only sunny day in a row of rainy days in Sochi, and on this day Vladimir Putin welcomes Aleksandar Vucic in his residence. Russia and Serbia have long-standing and inextricable ties in politics, economy, culture, and industry.
Vladimir Putin: "Welcome to Russia, we're glad to see you. Our strategic partnership is proven by our everyday work".
Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia: "Every meeting with you means a lot to our country, Serbia".
Vucic is fluent in Russian. Belgrade doesn't support European sanctions against Moscow on principle, and Russian authorities value this important decision. Lately, Serbian flags are more often seen next to the Russian ones. The relations between these countries are nothing but friendly. Vladimir Putin and Aleksandar Vucic are meeting for the 17th time.
While everyone was waiting for the presidents at the press-conference, Vucic made an online post with pictures of him holding Putin's present, the rifle of the legendary Serbian king Milan Obrenovic with his initials on the barrel. Such a rarity is made for bragging. Russian investments in the Serbian economy and the most important — gas issue, since Serbia is getting Russian gas through Ukraine. It's the weakest part of the agreements.
Vladimir Putin: "I always repeat that we're ready to preserve Ukrainian transit. We're negotiating on this issue in Vienna, it's no secret. Though the conditions that potential Ukranian transiting companies offer are economically unacceptable for us, yet. But I hope it's an inquiring position, and we'll manage to coordinate our positions somehow. That's my first point. Second — Serbia will be supplied with gas. In any case, through various other routes".
The Serbian President applauded first, then the whole delegation joined him. The head of Gazprom explained that Ukraine, oddly enough, even raises prices for its services.
Alexey Miller, CEO of Gazprom: "These tariffs are very high, significantly higher than the current one for which we're transiting gas to Europe through Ukraine now".
Other routes are about to start operating: Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream. There are problems with the second one, though, due to Bulgaria's obstruction.
Vladimir Putin: "Despite numerous assurances and despite numerous requests for Russia to supply our gas to Bulgaria through Turkey, we see that Bulgaria, no matter how sad and odd it sounds, consciously delays the realization of this project on its territory. I want to say it directly and publicly. Bulgarian authorities made many requests to realize the TurkStream project at all costs after they've foiled South Stream. But here, apparently under pressure from the outside, they made sure the works were not implemented quickly. But we'll see how this project will be realized on the Bulgarian territory. If Bulgarians don't want it, I mean the Bulgarian authorities, we'll find other ways to realize our opportunities in the south of Europe".
The Serbian President accepted Putin's invitation to visit Moscow to celebrate the common victory in the Great Patriotic War. Russia provides significant political support for Serbia in the Kosovo issue.
Vladimir Putin: "Russia is ready to support potential compromise solutions of the Kosovo issue if such are reached between Belgrade and Pristina. We'll definitely support Serbia's position".
And Belgrade is glad for this resumption of relations.
Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia: "I hope Russians won't hold a grudge against us, but we think that if the decision in 1999 was made by Putin, nobody would've bombed us. We can't forget 2015 either when Putin saved us from the stigma we'd have gotten if the UN Security Council had accused us of genocide".
Russia and Serbia also have spiritual unity. Today, Vucic gave Putin a letter from the Serbian patriarch. Our Orthodox churches are connected by centuries-old ties. The Russian President promised to transfer Miroslav's Gospel to Belgrade. It's a Serbian manuscript relic that is going to be housed in the Church of Saint Sava.
Andrey Grigoryev, Rinat Gareev, Vadim Klevanov, Vesti, Sochi.
