U.S. Senator: Serbia Cannot Have Intelligence Chief Who Communicates with Russia

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy during visit to Belgrade (Beta/Milos Miskov)

If Serbia truly wants a European future, its intelligence chief cannot be someone who openly communicates with Russia, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy has said.

“I wish [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vucic realized how dangerous [Security and Information Agency Chief Aleksandar] Vulin is. If Serbia really wants a European future, you cannot have an intelligence agency chief who openly coordinates with the Russians,” Murphy told the Voice of America late on July 19.

The senator added that the U.S. has made it clear not just to Serbia but to “all American friends” that there will be repercussions should they decide not to join the sanctions or choose to be involved in covert activities with Russia.

“We want Serbia to be part of the Euro-Atlantic movement, for its future to be within Europe. We believe it is in [Serbia’s] best interest to send a clear message to Russia that the invasion in Ukraine cannot be tolerated. I hope that Vucic will realize that Vulin is jeopardizing his efforts to build a friendship with Europe and the U.S,” Murphy concluded.