Russian spies allegedly aided in quelling Serbian protests

Serbia has seen massive protests against President Aleksandar Vucic, triggered by a tragic collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people. The demonstrations have focused on corruption in the government. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin claimed that Russian spies helped prevent these protests, showing the strong ties between Russia and Serbia. This connection raises concerns about Serbia's goal of joining the European Union. Vulin praised Russia's support in what he called a fight against "color revolutions," a term used for pro-Western protests that have led to political changes in other countries. Many protesters deny having any connections to Western governments. In his remarks, Vulin suggested that the protests are part of a larger scheme by the US and European intelligence services to destabilize Serbia and replace its leaders with those who align more closely with Western interests. Political scientist Aleksandar Djokic noted that Russia's backing seems crucial for Vucic’s regime, as other countries are either neutral or critical of the government. European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, emphasized the importance of strong civil society and independent media in Serbia's journey toward EU membership. So far, Russia has not commented on Vulin's statements regarding its involvement in the protests.