"Niš is not far away from that province that’s the object of international struggle, where some powers are trying to violate the territorial integrity of Serbia."

"I am aware of how Serbia suffers over this, and we feel your pain,“ Konuzin told a press conference after meeting Niš Mayor Miloš Simonović on Friday in that southern city.

The top Russian diplomat in Serbia says that Moscow will support Belgrade in the protection of the country's integrity "as long as Serbia stands for that".

"Russia will support the protection of Serbia’s integrity. As long as you are advocating this, we will continue to help you,” Konuzin said.