Serbian MFA: Bikovic no genocide supporter, but promoter of Serbia

BELGRADE - The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday dismissed as completely unfounded the accusations by the Ukrainian foreign ministry, which has branded Serbian actor Milos Bikovic a person who "supports genocide and violates international law", and noted that it had honoured Bikovic for his contribution to promoting Serbia.

In a statement, the Serbian MFA said Serbia had a long tradition of cultural creativity and was very proud of the constitutionally guaranteed right to free scientific and artistic creation.

"We underline that the claims by the Ukrainian side are unfounded as Milos Bikovic is, above all, one of the most popular and the most talented Serbian actors of his generation who, despite his young age, has already left a mark in Serbian as well as international cinema. We want to remind that, on Serbian Diplomacy Day in 2019, FM Ivica Dacic awarded to Bikovic a charter for his exceptional personal contribution to worldwide promotion of Serbia and its rich cultural creativity," the statement said.

Earlier in the day, in a post on the social media network X (formerly known as Twitter), Ukraine's foreign ministry reacted to the news that Bikovic would star in Season 3 of HBO's The White Lotus television series, calling the actor a supporter of Russia.

"Milos Bikovic, Serbian actor who has been supporting Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, is now set to star in HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3," it said.

"HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?" it added.