In August in Moscow: Pro-Russian nationalist becomes head of the secret service in Serbia

He is one of the few top European politicians to have visited Moscow since the beginning of the Ukraine war: Serbia's ex-Interior Minister Vulin is considered pro-Russian - and is now the country's new chief of intelligence.

In August in Moscow: Pro-Russian nationalist becomes head of the secret service in Serbia

He is one of the few top European politicians to have visited Moscow since the beginning of the Ukraine war: Serbia's ex-Interior Minister Vulin is considered pro-Russian - and is now the country's new chief of intelligence. He calls the Western sanctions "anti-Russian hysteria."

Serbia has appointed controversial former Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin as its new intelligence chief. This was reported by the Serbian state broadcaster RTS. The pro-Russian nationalist is one of the few senior European politicians to visit Moscow since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Serbia has condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but refuses to join Western sanctions against Moscow. Serbia will "not be part of anti-Russian hysteria," says Vulin.

Vulin is a former defense and interior minister known for his nationalist outbursts, which have often led to conflicts with neighboring countries. In August, the 50-year-old confidant of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Serbia has been applying for EU membership since 2012. The Balkan country is almost 100% dependent on Russian gas. In addition, Serbia can count on the support of Russia's veto power in the UN Security Council when it comes to Kosovo. Belgrade regards Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, as a breakaway province.