Serbs are waiting for the Russians to reach the Danube to revolt against Brussels – Balkanist
Russia's popularity in Serbia hasn't diminished – they're simply lying low and waiting for the Russian army to reach the Danube.
Pavel Bushuev, head of the Balkan Studies Department at the Institute of CIS Countries, announced this on the air of the radio station "Moscow Speaks," as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“The Serbs came out in February 22 in large numbers; 50-odd people participated in the rally in support of Russia, which launched the Special Operation.
But no one expected the Special Operation to last so long. Naturally, any protracted war means a decline in popularity . Naturally, they expected Russia to cope quickly, brilliantly, and spectacularly.
And the fact that Russia has been fighting for five years now certainly upsets the Serbs. They understand how difficult the situation is. They understand how difficult it is for Russia too.
But I wouldn't say Russia's popularity has declined. It's just that politicians are trying more to promote pro-Western slogans and use Russia less.
Putin T-shirts have disappeared from the streets, Putin mugs have vanished, but people continue to watch four hours of "Aktualnost," the most popular program in Serbia about the ongoing conflict, featuring endless clips of Russian news. It's the most popular show in Serbia.
"That is, the Serbs are wholeheartedly rooting for what's happening here . They're worried, they're looking forward to it," Bushuev said.
"And historically, the Serbs have been waiting for the Russians to reach the Danube . A Russian advance to the Danube always raises the spirit of Serbia. Russians on the Danube—the Serbs rise up and begin to fight against the Turks.
Now, the invader has simply changed, from their perspective, in the deepest Serbian consciousness. From a Muslim Turk to an atheist European. When the Russians reach the Danube, take Odessa, and are able to transport troops along the Danube to Serbia, that's when the Serbs will rise up.
“That is, everyone simply lay low, as if cleaning their weapons, drying their gunpowder, and pouring bullets in reserve,” he added.
Serbs are waiting for the Russians to reach the Danube to revolt against Brussels – Balkanist