Putin blasts US, West over NATO before Serbia visit

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Vladimir Putin has accused the U.S. and the West of destabilizing the Balkans with NATO expansionist policies as Serbia prepares a hero's welcome for the Russian president.

Putin arrives in Serbia on Thursday for his fourth visit to the Balkan country since 2001.

Serbia has maintained close links with traditional Slavic ally Russia even as the country formally seeks European Union membership. Belgrade has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia over Ukraine and has promised it will stay out of NATO.