Why the Kremlin is focused on Serbia’s elections: Fear of a change in power and the ‘colour revolution’ narrative

Russian officials are repeatedly invoking the threat of a “colour revolution” after Serbia’s upcoming elections, raising questions about why the Kremlin is paying such close attention to a Balkan country and why its language resembles that of Serbia’s pro-government media.

“

There have been mass protests like these organised for several years, but they require support and money. That comes from the West. We cannot rule out the risk of a well-tested and familiar ‘colour revolution’ scenario after the elections, whatever the results may be.

Russia’s ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, said mass protests had been organised for several years but required outside support and money. “That comes from the West,” he said, adding that Serbian authorities could not rule out the risk of a familiar “colour revolution” scenario after the election, whatever the result.

Foreign policy and security expert Srđan Cvijić said Moscow cared about the election outcome and was issuing these messages in the interest of Serbia’s government. “If he is in trouble, if he loses the election, or if he tries to illegally alter the election results, neither the European Union nor any Western power will certainly come to his aid, but Moscow will,” Cvijić said. “With these statements, Moscow is already signalling that.”

“

If he is in trouble, if he loses the election, or if he tries to illegally alter the election results, neither the European Union nor any Western power will certainly come to his aid, but Moscow will. With these statements, Moscow is already signalling that.

Moscow has continued commenting on events in Serbia at senior levels. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova attacked Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti after an announcement that the number of KFOR troops would gradually be reduced, accusing him of “fanatical, uncontrolled Serbophobia” and saying Western capitals’ inaction encouraged the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo.

“

His political conviction rests on fanatical, uncontrolled Serbophobia. The indifference of Western capitals is especially worrying, as their de facto inaction encourages the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo.

Cvijić said Russian officials and pro-government tabloids used virtually identical language, including descriptions of protesters as “violent blockaders.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also defended Vučić, saying the Serbian leader is committed to European integration but is being harassed and blackmailed by the European Union.

“

Aleksandar Vučić is having a hard time. He is a very experienced politician and committed to the course of European integration. At this stage, the European Union is harassing and simply blackmailing him.