Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch's meeting with Russian president: This is what was said

Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / Sputnik / Profimedia

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said in Moscow, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that an attempt at a "color revolution" is in progress in Serbia, and that he hopes the country will "overcome this trial."

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"We know and feel that centers of power from the West do not wish to nurture the identity of the Serbian people or their culture," Porfirije stated.

He thanked Russia for its stance regarding the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Montenegro, stressing that, without Russian and Chinese support, he "does not know what would have happened to Kosovo."

According to the website of the Russian Orthodox Church, Porfirije stated that when it comes to the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija and the RS, Serbia's position also depends on Russia's position at the global level.

"We are asking you to adhere to this position and do everything possible, because without Kosovo and, I can say it, without the RS, the Serbian people have no future," the patriarch stressed.

During the conversation, President Putin assessed that relations between Russia and Serbia are those of a warmest, closest and most trusting alliance.

Putin added that he is looking forward to seeing the president of Serbia in Moscow for celebrations of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

During the meeting, also attended by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, the Russian president said his country is aware of the situation in the region.

"We know that the situation in the Balkans is challenging and we also know about your efforts to strengthen Serbia's position, including the importance of the All-Serbian Assembly that you held," said Putin.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)