‘We Can’t Rule Out a Color Revolution’: Russia Warns West Against Backing Serbia Protests

Russia has warned Western nations not to fuel unrest in Serbia, as mass anti-government protests continue to grip the Balkan country.

The protests, which began more than six months ago, escalated sharply over the weekend. On Saturday, tens of thousands rallied in central Belgrade, demanding snap elections and the resignation of Aleksandar Vučić, who has been Serbian president for 12 years.

“We cannot rule out the use of familiar tactics aimed at carrying out color revolutions in Serbia,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday, referring to popular uprisings that have toppled governments in former Soviet states and elsewhere.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also accused the West of exploiting unrest to advance its interests.

“We hope Western countries, which often interfere in other nations to promote their interests, will refrain from pushing for color revolutions this time,” Lavrov told the state-run TASS news agency.

Lavrov added that Moscow is monitoring the situation and supports the Serbian president’s calls for calm “in line with the constitution and laws of this friendly state.”

Organizers claimed 140,000 people took part in the protests, while police estimated 36,000. Clashes erupted when police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds after some protesters threw flares and bottles.

Authorities reported 48 injured police officers, 22 people needing medical help, and 77 arrests. Eight protesters face charges including plans to block roads and attack government buildings.

Other Topics of Interest

Kremlin Signals Readiness for Talks on Ukraine

Moscow said it was not responsible for the suspension of communications with Ukraine on agreements and proposals.

Demonstrations continued Sunday, with major roads blocked in Belgrade and other cities.

The protests were initially sparked following the deadly collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad last November – widely blamed on corruption. The unrest has already forced the prime minister to resign and led to a cabinet reshuffle.

Vučić has accused foreign actors of fueling the demonstrations, a claim echoed by Moscow. Russia remains a close ally of Serbia and is a key supplier of its energy.