Serbian Patriarch Porfirije meets with Putin in Moscow

MOSCOW - At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church said a "coloured revolution" was underway in Serbia and expressed the hope the country would "overcome that ordeal."

"We know and feel that Western powers want to break apart the identity of the Serbian nation and culture," Porfirije said.

He thanked Russia for its position on the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, Republika Srpska and Montenegro, noting that he did not know "what would have happened to Kosovo-Metohija if it were not for the support of Russia and China."

Serbia's position regarding Kosovo-Metohija and Republika Srpska also depends on Russia's position at global level, a statement published on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church quoted Porfirije as saying.

"Please stand by that position and do everything in your power," Porfirije told Putin, noting that "there is no prospect for the Serbs without Kosovo and Republika Srpska."

Putin said the relations of alliance between Russia and Serbia were the warmest and the closest.

He added that he expected Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to visit Moscow for the May 9 celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

During the meeting, also attended by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', Putin said Russia was aware of the difficult situation in the Balkans.

"We know that the situation in the Balkans is not simple, and we know of your efforts to strengthen Serbia's position," he said.