The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Porfirije, during his visit to Moscow on Tuesday thanked the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, for his support and stance regarding Kosovo, Republika Srpska and Montenegro.
“Novosti” has published Putin’s full conversation with Porfiria, highlighting Russian influence in the Balkans.
“It should be emphasized that we are grateful to you for your support and stance regarding Kosovo and Republika Srpska, and of course also Montenegro – that is where our people and our church are. You know very well that without your support and the support of China, I don’t know what would have happened to Kosovo. I was there for Easter…it is the capital of the Serbian patriarch. Please stand your ground and do everything you can. Because, regardless of politics, regardless of people, regardless of the news we have – without Kosovo I can say, and without Republika Srpska, the Serbian people have no perspective,” said Porfirije.
Putin said he will host Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Moscow on May 9 on Victory Day.
Porfirije confirmed that Vučić will be in Moscow on that date, although there have been warnings from the European Union.
“Our position in relation to Kosovo, in relation to the Republika Srpska and Montenegro, I think and feel that it also depends on the position of the Russian state, the Russian Federation, at the global level. My desire and that of the majority in our church is that in the future, if there is a new geopolitical division, we will be close in this Russian environment,” said Porfirije.