Moscow on Thursday warned that there is a risk of "chaos" in Serbia following months of anti-corruption protests that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic.
"It is extremely important that the demonstrators... show reason and do not follow the lead of those who stir up emotions," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "Chaos must be avoided in Serbia."
Street demonstrations have rocked Serbia for months following the deadly collapse of a train station roof in November.
The collapse, which killed 15 people, ignited long-standing discontent across the country over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight on construction projects.
"We see that the authorities are listening to criticism and are willing to engage in direct dialogue with everyone within the framework of the political process," Zakharova said.
"We believe this is the only real way to achieve universal agreement in the interests of protecting sovereignty, national dignity and traditional values and maintaining internal stability," she said.
Before taking up an earlier government post in Belgrade, Vucevic had served as mayor of Novi Sad from 2012 to 2022, during which time renovations began at the train station.
He announced his resignation earlier this week after less than a year in office.
Tensions have simmered in Serbia in recent weeks with violence breaking out at some protests, with students accusing pro-government hooligans of targeting demonstrations.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
