Serbia leans on Russia over Kosovo despite EU bid

Serbian minister Nenad Popovic thanked Russia for supporting Belgrade’s position on Kosovo during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in St Petersburg on Thursday.

Popovic, Serbia’s minister for international economic cooperation, met Lavrov on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Serbia does not recognise Kosovo’s 2008 independence and relies on Russia’s backing at the UN Security Council.

Serbia is seeking EU membership but has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.