On Wednesday, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin met with Sergey Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
The two officials discussed the enhancement and strengthening of cooperation between the security structures of Serbia and Russia, according to a statement from the Serbian government on October 16.
Naryshkin noted Vulin’s efforts in his roles as Minister of Defense, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Director of the Security Information Agency (BIA), emphasizing their impact on developing positive relations between Serbian and Russian services.
In turn, Vulin expressed gratitude to the Russian intelligence chief for the “reliable and always secure partnership, as well as support for Serbia.”
In addition to his meeting with Naryshkin, Vulin is expected to meet with other Russian officials and will attend a reception hosted by the Serbian Embassy to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade from German occupation during World War II.
Vulin is considered one of the Kremlin’s staunchest supporters within Serbian leadership. He previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he declared that Serbia is not just a strategic partner but also an ally of Russia.
Earlier this year, Vulin was honored by the Russian president and the Federal Security Service of Russia.
He is on the U.S. Department of State’s blacklist due to his connections with Russia and involvement in corruption during his tenure as head of the BIA. Vulin resigned from that position in November 2023 under continued pressure from the West and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia in early May.
Serbia and Russia maintain traditionally close relations and is one of the few countries in Europe that has refused to join international sanctions against the Kremlin following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
