Photo: Prime Minister Mickoski’s Instagram profile

This article was first published by Truthmeter.mk (North Macedonia), within the framework of Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Project.

The prime minister’s guest, in addition to having family roots in Berovo, acquired a Russian passport and citizenship in 2021 and was personally decorated by Putin for his contribution to Russian culture. Miloš Biković’s “soft power” is significant for Russia—he serves as a familiar, likable face who does not criticize Russia, which is very valuable in an era of international isolation. His popularity makes Russian culture “accessible” and “friendly” to Balkan audiences. Ukraine, meanwhile, accuses him of participating in productions filmed in Crimea—the Ukrainian peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014, and of supporting the Russian invasion of the country

Author: Miroslava Simonovska

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski “crowned” his meeting with Serbian (and Russian) actor Miloš Biković on this week by posting photos on Instagram. Mickoski announced that he had received Biković for a discussion about future investment in a hotel and recreational complex in Berovo, where Biković has family roots.

 

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A post shared by Hristijan Mickoski (@hristijan_mickoski)

The Prime Minister’s guest, in addition to being originally from Berovo, in 2021 acquired a Russian passport and citizenship and was personally decorated by Russian President Vladimir Putin for his contribution to Russian art and culture. Not only that, his name is the subject of controversy–Ukraine points to him as a figure through whom Russia exercises so-called “soft power.” A concept according to which countries, in the case of Russia, use culture and its influence to gain sympathy abroad and thus realize their interests. That is why Ukraine was not indifferent when in 2024 HBO announced that Biković would be their actor in the third season of the popular series “White Lotus.”

Then, through the official channels of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the country shared a protest message, asking HBO television “whether it is all right for them to work with a person who supports genocide and violates international law,” referring to Biković.

Miloš Biković, 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. HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law?” wrote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

HBO then removed Biković from the cast list for the series.

Biković himself does not hide his connection to Russia, and in public appearances he speaks about the connection of Russian and Serbian culture and the “common cultural code” of the two peoples. In his speeches he speaks about the “Russian world”–which he describes as a world that does not belong only to Russians and Orthodox Christians, but “represents a world that is sought and created by a spiritually formed person with character, conscience, and a traditional system of values.” In his appearances in Serbia, however, there is no criticism of Putin, but rather justification.

I have lived in Russia for 7 years now, and I feel like I am a part of this reality and cultural life.  I felt at home from the very start. It felt very logical. It is just another confirmation that I am part of this culture and that this culture is a part of me. Russia became my home. I will continue to live the same way I always have. I will continue to create in both Serbia and Russia. I will try to continue to realize joint projects, aimed at bringing our kindered cultures and people even closer. I don’t even think kindered people is the right way of saying it. I don’t think of them as two separate entities, it is one cultural code. We need to understand that, and we need to fight for culture. In both Russia and Serbia it is under threat. Our system of values is under threat. And beyond that, there is a threat of substitution of historic and cultural facts. We need to create a culture that will strengthen the identity of these two nations. And that is exactly what “kindered” means, when you know the history and, as a consequence, feel closer, said Biković about obtaining his Russian citizenship.

As a star in numerous Russian productions, Biković regularly speaks of his admiration for Russian culture. Kyiv reported that he had filmed in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014, and that he had not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Biković shared a poll showing that trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin was higher than that in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The actor has a clear and positive relationship with Vladimir Putin, particularly through the cultural awards and citizenship he has received.

Miloš Biković’s “soft power” is significant for Russia and includes several elements through which he influences public opinion and cultural diplomacy in favor of Russia—without the use of force or political means. In the Western context, his refusal to condemn Russian aggression (as many public figures have done) is interpreted as passive support. For Russia, this is a golden value: he serves as a familiar, likable face who does not criticize Russia, which is very valuable in an era of international isolation. His fame, connections to Russia, and careful rhetoric allow him to be a quiet but influential bearer of pro-Russian perception in the region and beyond. His popularity makes Russian culture “accessible” and “friendly” to Balkan audiences, while Ukraine accuses him of participating in productions filmed in Crimea and of supporting the Russian invasion of the country.