Others raised Ukrainian flags and chanted slogans against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war .
One group of Russian citizens who live in Serbia was among the many people who braved the cold and snowy conditions Sunday to rally in central Belgrade for Ukraine and against the war in Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of scores of people and forced 1.5 million people from their homes.
After burning his passport, Vladimir Nesimov stated that he didn’t want anything to do with Russia’s actions on Ukraine’s territory and around the world. “I don’t want to take any responsibility morally or physically for something that doesn’t depend on me.” “I don’t want the privilege of being a citizen in that country.”
Nesimov and Evelina Nesimova, his wife, traveled from Loznica in western Serbia to Belgrade to attend Sunday’s meeting attended by Serbian peace activists and the Russians living in Serbia. Evelina Nesimova stated that the couple moved from Moscow in 2014 to settle in Serbia after the Russian invasion in Crimea.
She said, “We didn’t want to live in a nation where Putin is the president.” “We were ashamed.”
Nesimov’s actions were taken days after a Russian lady had burned her passport at a vigil in support of the Ukrainian people in Edinburgh, Scotland.
While Russians were strongly against war at Sunday’s rally, many Serbians support Putin and his invasion. They largely blame NATO and the West’s anti-Russian policies for the conflict. In a rare showing of European support for Putin, hundreds of right-wing supporters marched through Belgrade last week. Several young men also chanted proRussian slogans at the peace rally on Sunday.
Nesimova stated, “I’m sorry there’s so much ‘Putinofilia’ in Serbia.”
The protesters later spread a large Ukrainian flag on a central pedestrian street, before marching through downtown Belgrade. To ensure that there weren’t any incidents, several police officers were present at the protest.
Serbia’s populist authorities, which are a neighboring Orthodox Christian nation and a fellow-Slavic country, condemned the attack on Ukraine, but refused to accept Western sanctions against Russia. This is a reflection of their historical close relationship. Serbia, despite its desire to join the European Union, is a rare Russian ally. Pro-Russia propaganda is strong.
Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia’s President, met with Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, the Russian Ambassador to discuss Ukraine’s situation and bilateral relations. Vucic stated that Serbia would respect its “vital economic and political interests, as well as preserving peace and stability.”
There are fears that tensions from the conflict in Ukraine could spread to volatile Balkans. These countries have experienced a series ethnic wars since the 1990s. Serbia relies on Russia for support in its opposition to the Western-backed independence from the former Kosovo province. This was split following a NATO intervention in 1999.
Irina, 47-year-old Russian language teacher, has been living in Serbia for nine years with her husband, daughter and other family members. Supporters of Putin in Serbia must be aware that no matter how painful the history between countries, “no normal person should support war.” “
“Any normal person is for peace, truth, and Putin, truth isn’t war,” stated Irina. She chose to keep her first name private out of fear of reprisals. “Our children should not die.”
