West’s attempts to inflame tense situation in Serbia wholly transparent — Russian diplomat

Attempts by the collective West to stir up an already-tense political situation in Serbia, using the proven playbook for instigating "Maidan-style coups," are obvious and entirely transparent, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS.

"Attempts by the collective West to inflame the situation in the country, using [cookie-cutter] 'Maidan-style coup d’etat' techniques are obvious," the diplomat said. "The only possible reaction is to adhere to the letter and spirit of the country’s constitution and to respect the choice of the Serbian people, who voted for their country’s national interests," she added.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in an emergency address to the nation, said that the attempt to storm Belgrade’s city hall by supporters of the pro-Western opposition had been prompted by external forces and was aimed at undermining the Balkan country’s sovereignty.

Earlier, the Serbian leader asserted that protests and provocative statements by the opposition would not produce any results because "power changes hands [in the country] only through elections."