MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Serbian leader Tomislav Nikolic has referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as his best friend, in an interview with Sputnik.
Asked who his "best friend" was among foreign colleagues, Nikolic replied, "Putin. At least that is my feeling."
Russia and Serbia have maintained close ties throughout the recent ups and downs in Moscow’s relations with Europe, marred by EU sanctions and Russia's retaliatory food imports ban.
The Serbian president last traveled to Moscow with a working visit in March to discuss the outlook for bilateral cooperation with Putin. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to go to Belgrade in the near future.