State Department: All claims of US interference in Serbian protests are false

(Patria) - The US State Department announced that any claim that the United States of America (USA) is interfering in protests in Serbia or supporting protest movements directed against the Serbian government is false.

"We are not surprised that Russia, in contrast, has instrumentalized protests to advance its agenda in Serbia, as it does around the world," the State Department spokesperson said in response to Radio Free Europe (RSE) on August 17.

The US reaction followed accusations by Serbian authorities against unnamed Western countries for supporting environmental protests against lithium mining, which have drawn tens of thousands of citizens in recent weeks.

The Kremlin also accused the West of being behind the protests in Serbia, and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin thanked Russian security structures in Moscow "for the warning about the preparation of mass riots and an attempted coup d'état."

The State Department also stated that the US position on Aleksandar Vulin is "well known." He has been under US sanctions since July 2023, among other reasons, for his ties to the Kremlin.

The reason for the recent mass protests in Serbia is the announcement of the opening of a lithium mine by the international company "Rio Tinto" in the Jadar River valley in the west of the country – due to fears from some citizens that the project could have negative environmental consequences.

In its response to RSE, the State Department assesses that peaceful protest and the right of citizens to demonstrate and speak freely are an important part of democracy.

They also recall the position of US officials that it is "up to the Serbian people and their elected leaders" to decide what to do next with lithium resources.

"We believe this offers an exceptional opportunity for Serbia, provided that environmental standards and best global practices are respected. This is a decision that Serbia should make," the State Department concludes.

The lithium mining project in Serbia has been supported by the United States and the European Union, and in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Serbia signed a Memorandum on Critical Raw Materials with the EU in Belgrade on July 19.

The document envisons the entire production chain – from lithium extraction at "Rio Tinto's" mine in Jadar to the production of batteries for electric vehicles.

Following protests in dozens of locations in Serbia, the largest gathering against lithium mining was held in Belgrade on August 11. The protest passed without major incidents. Three activists were arrested after blocking one of the city's train stations, and they were charged with disturbing public order and peace. They were released to defend themselves from freedom.

Protest organizers, from environmental organizations, described these arrests as a form of government repression.

They have also repeatedly denied that the goal of the protests is to overthrow the government, RSE reports.