CONTEMPORARY RELATIONS BETWEEN SERBIA AND RUSSIA: DETERMINANTS AND CHALLENGES

KURJAK Jelica (Doktor nauka i nekadašnji istraživač Instituta za međunarodnu politiku i privredu),

The modern relations between Serbia and Russia are characterised by a historical stability. It is determined by the similarities between the two nations. They include: Slavic roots, common religion, linguistic and some cultural similarities, nearly identical stances on key international issues, common paradigms of the historically dominant political and economic systems. And, what is proudly highlighted – the fact that these two countries were never in a direct confrontation with one another, although both have often struggled to maintain their independence and territorial integrity and identity. Based on the above‐mentioned facts, numerous myths about the brotherhood of the two nations, eternal friendship and readiness to provide each other with help when needed, unselfish Slavic soul and unselfish love and sacrifice for greater purposes were created during history. However, the entire history of bilateral relations – and especially since the late 20th century – demonstrated that the real relations are significantly different and much more complex. In fact, it is a case of two completely different countries, namely a great empire, military force and a powerful global actor, and a country forced to seek for strong close friends for this is what defines its place in the turbulent world. Reliance on Russia may be justified, but first and foremost, Serbia should have its own national long‐ and short‐term strategic interests and goals. Interstate relations relying on love and faith may have grave consequences for such “devotees” in certain historical contexts when paradigms and rules of play are changing. Through long‐term research of the Russian‐Serbian relations and personal experience the author understood that these relations are stable and mainly positive, but at the same time, these are the relations between two completely different partners which also have an impact on their content.

Keywords: Serbia, Russia, history, politics, political myths, Slavdom, determinants, conflicts, international relations, cooperation, economy, energy industry, Kosovo