MOSCOW, June 4 (Reuters) - Russia accused NATO on Thursday of squeezing Serbia "like a boa constrictor", citing a joint military exercise taking place there as evidence of an attempt to subjugate the country.
Serbia says the annual "Platinum Wolf" exercise, which began on June 1 with the support of the U.S. European command, is aimed at exchanging best practices and to "enhance the competence and mutual understanding" of countries taking part, which include eight NATO members.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said NATO wanted to take over the Balkans and tear Serbia away from Russia.
"They are wrapping Serbia in the coils of their love like a boa constrictor," Zakharova told reporters.
Russia has traditionally strong relations with Serbia, which was subjected to a NATO bombing campaign during the 1999 Kosovo war.
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Felix Light, Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
