Why are Serbia and Russia so close?

Russia and Serbia have a long-standing relationship based on shared cultural, religious, and geopolitical ties. Their closeness can be explained by a mix of historical, linguistic, and political factors:

1. Shared Religion and Cultural Heritage

  • Eastern Orthodoxy: Both Russia and Serbia are predominantly Eastern Orthodox Christian nations. The church has played a significant role in shaping national identity and fostering unity between the two peoples.
  • Slavic Roots: They share Slavic linguistic and cultural roots. While Russian and Serbian are different languages, they are both Slavic and use the Cyrillic script (with variations), contributing to mutual understanding and affinity.

2. Historical Alliances

  • Support During Ottoman Rule: Russia historically supported Serbia's struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.
  • Balkan Wars & WWI: Russia backed Serbia during the Balkan Wars and especially during World War I. After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, Russia defended Serbia against Austria-Hungary, leading to its entry into WWI.
  • Yugoslav Conflicts: In the 1990s, Russia diplomatically supported Serbia during the Yugoslav Wars, particularly opposing NATO's intervention in Kosovo in 1999.

3. Geopolitical Alignment

  • Serbia, while aspiring to join the EU, has resisted aligning fully with NATO—partly due to the 1999 NATO bombing of Belgrade. Russia supports Serbia’s position on Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 but is not recognized by Serbia or Russia.
  • Russia sees Serbia as a key ally in the Balkans to counterbalance Western influence (especially NATO and the EU) in Eastern Europe.

4. Economic and Military Ties

  • Trade and Energy: Russia is a major supplier of natural gas to Serbia and has invested in Serbia’s energy infrastructure.
  • Military Cooperation: Russia and Serbia conduct joint military exercises and maintain defense cooperation, though Serbia also works with Western militaries on occasion.

5. Public Sentiment

  • Many Serbians view Russia as a brotherly nation and a historic protector, especially after Western military actions in the 1990s. Russian leaders, especially Vladimir Putin, are often viewed favorably in Serbian public opinion.

Summary

Russia and Serbia are close due to:

  • Shared Orthodox faith and Slavic identity
  • Historical alliances and mutual support
  • Alignment on issues like Kosovo and skepticism toward NATO
  • Energy and military cooperation
  • Favorable public sentiment in both countries

Their relationship is both emotional and strategic, rooted in centuries of connection and common cause.