Serbia slams Croatia minister for calling Vučić a Russian ‘satellite’

Serbia on Sunday protested to the Croatian embassy in Belgrade after Croatia’s foreign minister called Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić a Russian “satellite.”

Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman told N1 television on Saturday that Vučić will have to decide whose side he is on — Russia’s or the EU’s — “because it is impossible and uncomfortable sitting on two chairs at the same time.”

Calling Vučić a “satellite” of Russia, Grlić-Radman said the “malign influence of Russia in the Western Balkans will not be allowed.”

Vučić shot back that Grlić-Radman “not only brutally interferes in the internal affairs of Serbia, but as usual he lies and insults the Serbian people and threatens the citizens of Serbia.”

“I have never been anyone’s servant, which cannot be said for Grlić-Radman,” Vučić added.

Serbia’s foreign ministry called Grlić-Radman’s comments “unacceptable.”

The Croatian minister’s remarks “represent a further continuation of the building of an atmosphere of hatred towards the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian people and violate the common policy of promoting peace and stability in the region,” the Serbian ministry said.