Serbia’s new government to include US-sanctioned ex-intelligence chief with close ties to Russia

BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia’s new government will include a former intelligence chief who has fostered close ties with Russia and is sanctioned by the United States, the country’s prime minister-designate said Tuesday. The inclusion of Vulin into the new government suggests strengthening of ties with Russia despite Serbia’s formally proclaimed pro-EU path. Opposition Movement of Free Citizens party said that by including Vulin in the new government, “Serbia is no longer nominally on the European path.” The liberal party said that Vulin’s nomination heralds “international isolation of Serbia, conflicts in the region, ties to Russia and the introduction of bans on all civil liberties in our country.” In July, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Vulin, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said Vulin used his public authority to help a U.S.-sanctioned Serbian arms dealer move illegal arms shipments across Serbia’s borders.