Dragan Stanojević, the head of the Serbian branch of Viktor Medvedchuk’s Russian civic organization "Another Ukraine," has openly defied Kyiv’s request to cease the branch's operations in Belgrade. This refusal came during an interview with RFE/RL on January 20th according to New Voice of Ukraine.
Medvedchuk, known for his close ties with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and facing accusations of treason as a former Ukrainian MP, has become a controversial figure. His organization's activities in Serbia have sparked diplomatic tensions.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Belgrade had previously issued a formal protest to the Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry in early December 2023, demanding the suspension of the branch's activities. However, Stanojević dismissed the idea of suspension as "absurd" and expressed his openness to hosting Medvedchuk in Serbia.
Stanojević's stance is clear: "They want to prohibit me from helping Ukrainians who seek assistance. The conflict between the Ukrainian authorities and Medvedchuk is their issue. I will continue with this work."
He revealed that Medvedchuk’s associates had approached him to lead the branch and that he finds Medvedchuk's ideas appealing. He clarified, however, that Medvedchuk does not fund the Serbian organization and that they don’t even have an official account. Yet, he didn't rule out the possibility of seeking financial aid from Medvedchuk.
Ukrainian diplomats have based their appeal to cease the movement's activities on Article 29 of Serbia's law on economic entities, which prohibits using the country's name in the official title of a legal entity without permission from the respective foreign state.
Russia registered "Another Ukraine" as a public organization in the summer of 2023, with Medvedchuk at the helm of its council. Journalists from the Schemes have reported that the movement has been orchestrating anti-Ukrainian events in Russia, involving political commentators, local deputies from banned parties, individuals accused of treason and separatism, and political technologists who fled to Russia.
