The pro-government media presented the commemoration of the liberation of Belgrade as a magnificent event dedicated to the preservation of anti-fascist values and the historical memory of the fighters against fascism. A special focus was placed on strengthening traditional ties with Russia, while emphasizing friendly relations between Serbia and Russia, thus presenting the event as an act of patriotic unity. All the more so since Aleksandar Vučić, despite Putin's invitation, will not attend the BRICS summit in Kazan
...Maja Stojanović
On October 20, a walk of the Immortal Regiment was held in Belgrade. An event that, instead of focusing on the memory of fallen fighters from of the Second World War and celebrate antifascism, became a platform for right-wing narratives and symbols, as well as the open promotion of pro-Russian politics in Serbia. The walk was led not only by the controversial Night Wolves, but also by government representatives including ministers and the deputy prime minister, as well as senior officials of the Putin regime.
All this is happening at a time when the whole of Europe is facing the consequences of the war in Ukraine and when Serbia is forced to show "loyalty" to both sides - and to continue sitting on two chairs even though they are increasingly distant.
This year, the walk of the Immortal Regiment is being held twice in Serbia for the first time, which is a precedent compared to other countries and previous years when it was organized only once a year in our country. By the way, the walk is traditionally organized in May on the occasion of the Victory over Fascism Day, first in Moscow, and then in other cities where Russia has a strong influence. This time, it was decided that another walk would be held in October and, symbolically, it would be connected to the anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade in the Second World War. This change can be seen as part of a wider political narrative that serves to emphasize Serbia's close ties with Russia, especially at a time when Aleksandar Vučić is not attending the BRICS summit, so this event shows Russia's commitment to its policy.
NIGHT WOLVES AND POLITICAL INSTRUMENTALIZATION
The Night Wolves, a Russian motorcycle gang known for their close ties to President Vladimir Putin, played a central role in this year's walk. Their presence, with the active support of high state officials of Serbia, indicates that Serbia is not only not balancing, but is actively choosing a side in the current geopolitical turmoil.
At the head of the walk were high-ranking state officials - Aleksandar Vulin, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of monitoring the status of projects from the scope of several ministries and special Government organizations in coordination with the President of the Republic, Nenad Popović, Minister without portfolio in charge of international economic cooperation and the position of the church in the country and abroad and the Minister of Environmental Protection Irena Vujović.
Their presence in the front lines was not accidental - it is a clear signal that the current government actively supports the pro-Russian agenda despite the pressures from the European Union to harmonize its foreign policy with the European one. This event is not only a commemoration of the heroes of the Second World War, but an open political manifestation that shows Serbia's clear orientation towards Russia.
PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA
The pro-government media presented the Immortal Regiment march as a magnificent event dedicated to the preservation of anti-fascist values and the historical memory of the fighters against fascism.
A special focus was placed on strengthening traditional ties with Russia, while emphasizing the friendly relations between Serbia and Russia, thus presenting the event as an act of patriotic unity. The reports were mostly positive, with an emphasis on the importance of preserving Serbian national identity and sovereignty, often in contrast to pressures from the West.
The daily "Politika" announced that the walk has a double meaning: it celebrates the past, but also strengthens ties with the "fraternal Russian people", stressing that Serbia will never forget Russia's support in difficult times.
BRICS OR NOT?
The walk of the Immortal Regiment this year can also be seen as part of a wider political maneuver by the Serbian authorities, especially in the context of relations with Russia and Vučić's departure to the BRICS summit. The President of Serbia previously confirmed that he had received an invitation from Vladimir Putin for the BRICS summit in Kazan, but he also announced that due to important international obligations in Serbia, he would not be able to attend the summit in person.
The walk of the Immortal Regiment, which is officially held in memory of the fighters against fascism, now serves as a symbolic message of maintaining pro-Russian positions, even in the absence of Serbia's direct participation in the summit.
Vučić's failure to attend the summit can be interpreted as part of Serbia's balancing policy between East and West, where it seeks to preserve close ties with Russia, but also to avoid additional pressure from the European Union and the United States of America.
Organizing the walk, with the presence of key high-ranking pro-Russian politicians such as Aleksandar Vulin and Nenad Popović, is a public confirmation of close relations with Russia and a demonstration of pro-Russian attitudes within Serbia, even though the president cannot personally attend the BRICS summit.
ARE WE ALLOWED TO SIT ON TWO CHAIRS?
This dynamic highlights the specific way in which Serbia balances its position using domestic political and symbolic events as a form of retaining Russian influence while at the same time avoiding open confrontations with Western powers.
The comments of representatives of the international community actually enable Serbia to continue the policy of "sitting on two chairs", where pro-Western and pro-Russian orientations are not mutually exclusive, but are used depending on the political moment and the audience.
From the interview of American Ambassador Christopher Hill for N1, which dealt with issues of lithium exploitation, contradictions in Serbia's positions and pro-Russian elements within the country, it is clear how much space is given to the state of Serbia for such geopolitical moves.
Although in the greater part of the interview Hill focuses on how "lithium is part of the future" and does not give up the focus on some pro-Russian-oriented individuals at the anti-lithium protests, he sees Vulin as an individual on whom he should not have an opinion even though he is currently the vice president of the Government of Serbia .
When asked about Vulin's views, Hill replies, “If you're pointing out contradictions, you should call Mr. Vulin and ask him the same question. I'm talking about Serbia, not about every Serb I've met or heard about."
Therefore, this statement shows how, on the one hand, individual pro-Russian actors are criticized in the context of protests against lithium mining, while Vulin - who performs a significant political function - is relativized as "some Serb". Such comments allow Serbia to maintain a balance between pro-Western and pro-Russian positions - on the one hand, it accepts Western rhetoric about modernization, and on the other, it maintains close ties with Russia through events such as the Immortal Regiment marches.
The consequences of such a policy could be long-term and serious, not only for Serbia, but also for democracy at the global level. While the West looks down on Serbia, justifying it with the need for regional stability or the transition to European integration, Serbia at the same time uses every opportunity to tie itself to Russia, not only through energy arrangements, but also through obvious political symbols.
It is not possible for Serbia to be committed to the European values and policies of the West, and at the same time to nurture close relations with Russia, whose values and geopolitics are based on authoritarianism. It's like someone standing with one foot in a stream, but insisting that his feet are not wet - Serbia cannot balance between two completely different ideologies, without being affected by the worse of them.
If the international Western community does not actively and visibly react to the balancing strategy of the Serbian state, that balancing will slowly backfire on them. Russia does not achieve its influence only through direct external pressures, but through maintaining a "balancing policy" and strengthening Russian methods of relativizing European values.
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"Behind a six-story building, Krajišnici led a goat cart," writes partisan Miloja Stijović. "Grun one throwing mine a little further from the car in the park. No one looks back on it. The wheel moves and the song is played, and the people watch and applaud. I look down Svetosavska street. I see a house on fire in Kralja Milan Street. There in front of me, on the corner of the street, three German bodies"
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