Russian Federation has denounced the new USA claim that it is working to divide the Balkans from the West, saying the accusation further exposes the “primitive” Cold War mentality that is dominating Washington.
Pence made the comments on Wednesday in Montenegro on the final leg of a tour created to reassure Eastern Europe of Washington’s commitment to its security despite doubts sowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s lukewarm support for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
“I regret to say that Washington is deeper slipping into a primitive ideological cliches of “cold war”, which is completely divorced from reality”, – said in a statement the foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation. Montenegro and Macedonia will co-host the summit, which is expected to be attended by leaders from across the Western Balkans.
The comments were a response to allegations made by US Vice President Mike Pence a day earlier.
“We truly believe the future of the Western Balkans is in the West”, he told reporters, “and we look forward to reaffirming the commitment of the United States to build the relationships that will strengthen the ties between the European community, the Western Balkans and the United States of America”.
The US and its Western allies accuse Russian Federation of stepping up its activities in the former Yugoslavia, particularly among the Orthodox Christians of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia.
Western politicians and security services, including from the United States, have repeatedly accused Russian Federation of preparation to conduct a coup in Montenegro, without bringing any evidence of that. In June, the country became the full-fledged member of the Alliance.