Russian President Vladimir Putin has said during his visit to Serbia that "the Russian position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is known."

"We are in favor of a solution in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244," Putin, whose country does not recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence made by ethnic Albanians in 2008, said in Belgrade on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin finished his one-day visit to Serbia on Wednesday evening with a visit to the Temple of St. Sava in Belgrade.

A huge crowd of people, estimated by police to be about 120,000 strong, gathered in front of this Serbian Orthodox church to welcome him, carrying a banner reading, in Russian and Serbian, "Thank you, president - for a free and decent Serbia."

The Russian leader addressed them in Serbian, to say, "Thank you for your friendship!"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has started his all-day official visit to Serbia, where he is hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Vucic welcomed Putin at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport, and the two presidents then took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cemetery of the Liberators of Belgrade and at the Monument to the Red Army Soldier in the Serbian capital.

Almost all print and electronic media in the region are reporting this Thursday about the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Serbia. They are also analyzing the possible topics of discussions in Belgrade today.

Regularity of Russian and Serbian presidents’ meetings indicates good relations between the two countries, Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin told Tanjug news agency.

In addition to bilateral topics, the two officials would also discuss geopolitical matters, Ambassador Chepurin noted, adding that the situation in the world is getting complicated. The two presidents would also discuss the situation in the Balkans region.

First Deputy PM Minister and FM Ivica Dacic welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade late on Wednesday.

Dacic welcomed his colleague and friend Lavrov and expressed great satisfaction to meet him again, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a press release, cited by the government.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country respect the Serbian leadership's decision to join the EU. “Unlike our Western partners, we do not try to pose an artificial dilemma for Belgrade and make Serbia choose whether to be with Russia or with the European Union," Putin said in an interview for Serbian dailies Politika and Vecernje Novosti.

Ahead of the Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic "has received several tasks from the Russian intelligence service." This is according to Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK).

Vucic was allegedly given several tasks: the first "not to reach an agreement with Kosovo under any circumstances," and another "to stop protests in Belgrade allegedly funded by NATO and arrest some of the leaders of the opposition."

The "advance party" of Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Serbia on January 12, Beta news agency is reporting, citing an article published by Belgrade-based daily Danas.

It is then that the detailed plan of Putin's visit, scheduled for January 17, will be known, the report added.

Citing "unofficial diplomatic sources," the newspaper states that representatives of the Russian president's protocol, media relations, as well as members of his security, will arrive here on January 12.

President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday congratulated his counterpart Vladimir Putin on Russia's day of security services employees. Vucic also thanked Putin for Russia's principled position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, and expressed his satisfaction with Putin's forthcoming visit to Serbia.

In a telegram in which he referred to Putin as "friend," Vucic further stated: