Putin and Patriarch Porfirije discuss Republika Srpska support

Patriarch Porfirije directly appealed to Putin, stressing that without backing from Russia and China, “Kosovo and Republika Srpska would not exist.” He emphasized the vital role Russia plays in protecting Serbian interests in both regions and urged Putin to maintain his current position.

“I served Easter liturgy in Kosovo — the seat of the Serbian Patriarch. Without Kosovo and Republika Srpska, the Serbian people have no future,” Porfirije said, adding that the Serbian Church and people look to Russia not only for political but also spiritual alignment.

He also noted that Serbia’s place in any future geopolitical realignment should be “close to the Russian sphere,” and stated that the Serbian people “sometimes place more hope in Russia than in their own state.”

The meeting comes ahead of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s upcoming visit to Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day celebrations, during which the two sides are expected to deepen political coordination.