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Putin congratulates Vucic on winning Serbian presidential election

The Russian president also said that in Moscow Vucic is known as a strong supporter of boosting friendly relations between the two countries

Serbian President-elect Aleksandar Vucic EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC

Serbian President-elect Aleksandar Vucic

© EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Vladimir Putin has sent a message of greetings to Serbian Prime Minister congratulating him on winning the presidential election, the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

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Serbian PM Vucic winning presidential polls with 59.89% of votes

"Your convincing election win points to wide popular support for your efforts aimed at solving pressing economic and social tasks facing Serbia, as well as at pursuing a meaningful and balanced foreign policy," the message reads.

Putin also said that in Russia Vucic is known as a strong supporter of boosting friendly relations between the two countries. The Russian president expressed confidence that Vucic’s activities as head of state would contribute to the further development of Russian-Serbian strategic partnership for the good of the two peoples.

On Russia's alleged interference

The Kremlin is impressed by the victory of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic in Serbia’s presidential polls as he is committed to developing relations with Moscow, Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

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Serbian premier emphasizes Putin’s visit crucial for Belgrade

"Certainly, Moscow welcomes all political forces in Serbia calling for the further development of our bilateral relations. Mr. Vucic supports this [development of relations with Russia] and therefore, of course, we are impressed that he has managed to secure victory in the election," Peskov said.

Peskov said it was the Serbian people and not Vladimir Putin who elected the new Serbian president and so it is inappropriate to make allegations on whether Putin’s support for Vucic could have influenced the voters.

"I believe it was not Putin who elected the Serbian president, but the Serbian people who took part in the voting," Peskov said. "As for what could have influenced them, it would be inappropriate to make any allegations," the Russian presidential spokesman added.

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Foreign policy Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov

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