Russia, first reaction after Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in the elections in Serbia

Russia stated on Monday that it wishes to continue developing relations with Serbia, following the student movement’s victory in Sunday’s snap legislative elections. The party of Moscow’s ally, Aleksandar Vučić, was defeated by the Students’ List, made up of representatives of civil society, amid discontent over corruption.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow hopes the new political forces in Belgrade will understand that cooperation with Russia is in Serbia’s interest. He called for the “constructive” development of bilateral relations, regardless of the election result.

Aleksandar Vučić, a dominant figure in Serbian politics for the past 14 years, acknowledged his defeat and attributed the result to foreign influences. The students’ victory triggered celebrations throughout the country and brought nearly two years of protests to an end.

The movement was sparked by the collapse of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad in 2024, a tragedy that left 16 people dead. The students blamed endemic corruption for the accident.