Russia sets up army base in Serbia

Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, Russia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Belgrade said that Russia set up a military base in Serbia, SM News reports.

The deployment of Russian army bases in Serbia was a sovereign matter of the country. In addition, this is Russia's matter as well, he said.

"As for the joint humanitarian center, it exists and operates for crisis response in the event of a humanitarian catastrophe,” the official said.

Botan-Kharchenko also noted that Serbia was a friendly country for Russia because Belgrade was strongly opposed to anti-Russian sanctions. At the same time, he pointed to the political aspect in the supplies of natural gas from Russia to Serbia at a favorable price. Russia ensures Serbia's energy stability, the official stressed. In addition, Russia and Serbia continue military and technical cooperation.

Earlier, Serbian Interior Minister Alexander Vulin stated that Serbia would not enter into a conflict with Russia. Serbia will not be part of the "NATO infantry," he said. He advised his Western colleagues should apologize to Serbia for hostilities.