INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia on Monday accused Western countries of stirring up tensions in Serbia, a Moscow-friendly Balkan nation that has been rocked by
protests over alleged fraud in elections held on Dec
17.Just a day before, demonstrators tried to storm the Belgrade city hall
Protesters reject the results of parliamentary and local elections in which President Aleksandar Vucic's party said it secured a commanding
victory."The attempts of the collective West to destabilize the situation in the country are obvious," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria
Zakharova told state-run news agency RIA Novosti.The Kremlin had welcomed election results, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Moscow hoped
the result would lead to the "further strengthening of friendship" between the countries.Serbia and Russia have historically close ties and
Belgrade did not join international sanctions against Moscow for its Ukraine offensive.But Serbia has condemned Russia's aggression at the
UN and its support has caused controversy.Serbia is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas
Its opposition complained of foul play during the parliamentary elections.
