The Russian authorities have expressed this Monday their desire to maintain close collaboration with Serbia, one of their main partners in the Balkans, after the victory in the early legislative elections of the Student League and the exit from power of the until now president Aleksandar Vucic. At the same time, Ukraine has celebrated the "new chapter" that opens in the country.
"Regarding the new political force that will come to power after the elections, we want to express our hope that their actions will be constructively oriented towards the development of relations," said the Kremlin spokesman, Dimitri Peskov, in statements released by the TASS agency.
In the same vein, Peskov has asked this new political force to "understand that cooperation with Russia benefits Serbia," emphasizing that this link is "beneficial" for the Balkan country.
"For our part, we intend to continue doing everything possible to promote the development of relations with Belgrade," he added, urging that the future Serbian authorities respond reciprocally to this approach.
Ukraine highlights the new political direction in Belgrade
In contrast to the Russian stance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has celebrated the political shift in Serbia and the end of the hegemony of Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party, in power since 2014 and considered an essential ally of the Kremlin, also during the large-scale invasion launched against Ukraine in 2022.
"Changes have occurred in Serbia: the victory of the Student List. And this undoubtedly represents a new chapter in the history of the country and its people. We wish Serbia success, real development, and cordial relations with the European community," stated the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky has demanded "respect" for the "people, the state, and the independence" of Ukraine and has emphasized that he will celebrate the "common achievements."
"We are willing to continue expanding our cooperation, hopefully all the good hopes of the Serbian people will come true," he added.
The student initiative, led by Ilija Srdanovic, a cardiologist and professor in Novi Sad, has won the early legislative elections held this Sunday in Serbia with almost 52% of the votes, surpassing by more than twelve points the coalition led by Vucic.
The outgoing president has attributed his defeat to a "revolution" driven by "direct support from European countries" and the "American deep state," which he considers opposed to President Donald Trump.