Russian media: Putin-mania grips Serbia

The Russian media have reported about PM Vladimir Putin's visit to Belgrade in detail, noting that he received "a special reception" in Serbia. "The arrival of Vladimir Putin in Belgrade is a special event, Serbs think. Hence the military honors, which are not really obligatory for a working visit," the Russian state TV said. Russian media: Putin-mania grips Serbia The newspapers are reporting about the topics on the agenda of meetings held on Wednesday, but also about the fact that Putin is "much loved" in Belgrade. Rossiyskaya Gazeta writes, in an article entitled "A union of national agreement", that Putin's trip to Serbia "confirmed close ties with the closest ally". "Posters with his image were put up everywhere, while domestic TV stations started their news bulletins with the details of the visit. In front of the Palace of Serbia and the parliament building, Putin was greeted by several hundred people with flags, placards and portraits," the daily writes. Kommersant, on the other hand, notes that Serbian President Boris Tadic satisfied the interest of his fellow citizens, "who panicked when they saw Turks starting to hesitate over the South Stream pipeline". "Serbs need South Stream, and they don't hide it," the newspaper writes, adding that Tadic said Putin reassured him the project would go ahead. "It turned out it was much easier to convince the Serbian president of this than the Turkish," the daily concludes, and complains about poor internet connections and "lack of food and water" in a press center set up for hundreds of domestic and foreign reporters who covered the visit. This daily notes that parallel with these shortages, Serbian journalists and officials "constantly stressed how much they liked Putin". "It is unclear how Putin would fare if he were to run for president in Russia," Kommersant believes, and adds: "But in Serbia he would win hands-down." Nezavisimaya Gazeta, meanwhile, notes that Putin discussed trade and economy in Slovenia on Tuesday, while on Wednesday in Belgrade, ahead of the anniversary of the start of NATO's attacks against Serbia 12 years ago, "the stress was on international politics as well". The visit was also meant to dispel doubts over South Stream, says the article, noting that "it remains to be seen if this was successful". Komsoloskaya Pravda also covered the visit to assess that the day Putin visited was "declared a holiday in Serbia". "There is true Putin-mania in Serbia, he is worshiped here. Putin is a honorary citizen of several Serbian towns, and holds honorary doctorate of University of Belgrade," the daily writes. Putin in Belgrade (Beta)

Russian media: Putin-mania grips Serbia

The newspapers are reporting about the topics on the agenda of meetings held on Wednesday, but also about the fact that Putin is "much loved" in Belgrade.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta writes, in an article entitled "A union of national agreement", that Putin's trip to Serbia "confirmed close ties with the closest ally".

"Posters with his image were put up everywhere, while domestic TV stations started their news bulletins with the details of the visit. In front of the Palace of Serbia and the parliament building, Putin was greeted by several hundred people with flags, placards and portraits," the daily writes.

Kommersant, on the other hand, notes that Serbian President Boris Tadić satisfied the interest of his fellow citizens, "who panicked when they saw Turks starting to hesitate over the South Stream pipeline".

"Serbs need South Stream, and they don't hide it," the newspaper writes, adding that Tadić said Putin reassured him the project would go ahead.

"It turned out it was much easier to convince the Serbian president of this than the Turkish," the daily concludes, and complains about poor internet connections and "lack of food and water" in a press center set up for hundreds of domestic and foreign reporters who covered the visit.

This daily notes that parallel with these shortages, Serbian journalists and officials "constantly stressed how much they liked Putin".

"It is unclear how Putin would fare if he were to run for president in Russia," Kommersant believes, and adds: "But in Serbia he would win hands-down."

Nezavisimaya Gazeta, meanwhile, notes that Putin discussed trade and economy in Slovenia on Tuesday, while on Wednesday in Belgrade, ahead of the anniversary of the start of NATO's attacks against Serbia 12 years ago, "the stress was on international politics as well".

The visit was also meant to dispel doubts over South Stream, says the article, noting that "it remains to be seen if this was successful".

Komsoloskaya Pravda also covered the visit to assess that the day Putin visited was "declared a holiday in Serbia".

"There is true Putin-mania in Serbia, he is worshiped here. Putin is a honorary citizen of several Serbian towns, and holds honorary doctorate of University of Belgrade," the daily writes.