Russia Today to launch in Serbia

A local language version of Russia Today (RT) will shortly be launched in Serbia, which is reported by N1, will be headed by Jelena Milincic, the daughter of the Sputnik editor Ljubica Milincic.

European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Serbia Vladimir Bilcik said the launch of the Russian state TV Russia Today in Serbia is contrary to Belgrade’s commitment to work on alignment with European Union’s (EU) foreign policy.

The EU suspended the distribution of Russia Today and Sputnik through the EU in March following the war between Russia and Ukraine. According to EU spokesman, Peter Sanko, Serbia, as a candidate country, is expected to gradually harmonise its foreign and security policy with that of the EU’s.

“Actions speak louder than words. To see Russian propaganda making a grand comeback in Serbia via the launch of Russia Today is contrary to Serbia’s commitment to work on alignment with EU foreign policy. A serious EU accession country should not be a disinformation hub for the Kremlin,” Bilcik wrote on Twitter.

As previously reported by Broadband TV News, it was first announced in July that Russia Today would open a representative office in Serbia. The move was strongly criticised by Klemen Groselj, a member of the European Parliament.

In March this year, the Council of the European Union decided to suspend the distribution of the Russian state media Russia Today and Sputnik throughout the entire EU. Media reported that the sanctions cover all means of transmission and distribution, such as cable, satellite, IPTV, platforms, websites and applications, while all relevant licenses, authorizations and distribution agreements were suspended, the Council said.