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Medvedev appeals to history to woo Serbs

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sought to sustain Serbian loyalty on Tuesday, declaring the two countries, both seeking to reassert themselves in Europe, should unite in pride at their roles in World War 2.

Moscow views Serbia as a future hub for its planned South Stream pipeline which would deliver Russian gas to southern Europe; a plan viewed as a rival to Europe's Nabucco project...

... "Russia and Serbia are united today by common spiritual values. . . including by our desire to defend an honest assessment of history," Medvedev said at Soviet-style gala night marking 65 years since Red Army and Yugoslav forces freed Belgrade from Nazi occupation.

The anniversary is seen as a source of pride by Russia, and by Serbia which was humiliated by Nato bombings 10 years ago and Western recognition of independence last year of its breakaway region of Kosovo...
Read entire article at Stuff.co.nz