At the Russian Embassy in Belgrade, Defender of the Fatherland Day was marked in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Patriarch Irinej and BiH Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik.
Ambassador of Russia Alexander Chepurin said that Russia and Serbia had to defend their independence and sovereignty on several occasions and that it was precisely this that formed the character of our people.
“We have strong armies, but the most important Russian and Serbian weapons are the courage of soldiers and officers and the forces of their spirit – this is an axiom,” the ambassador said, pointing out that the members of the armed forces of Russia and Serbia are merging the current tasks, and that the military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Chepurin reiterated that Russia supports the neutral status of Serbia, but also supports its good relations with other countries, if it suits its interests.
As for the problems of Kosovo, Russia stands for a peaceful solution, with respect for international law, said Chepurin, and expressed confidence that Serbia will have enough strength and patience to withstand the temptation.
He also spoke about the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russian Federation of Russia on February 20, stressing that it is the essence of 12 national projects that will bring the country to an absolutely new level in six years.
Chepurin also said that 75 years of liberation of Belgrade will be marked in the autumn, adding that it is important to restore the memorial graveyard of the liberators of Belgrade, on which are the fighters of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and the Red Army.
The Russian ambassador has astonished the strengthening of the brotherhood of the two peoples and the development of cooperation between the armed forces of Serbia and Russia.
The celebration of Defender of the Fatherland Day, organized by Ambassador Chepurin and Defense Envoy Colonel Andrej Sobakin, began with the intonation of the Russian and Serbian anthems.
Ministers Nenad Popovic, Aleksandar Vulin, Zoran Djordjevic, Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric, as well as numerous ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the cultural and political life of Serbia were also present at the reception.