Belgrade is not going to collapse to exterior strain and can stay “impartial and sovereign” in its choices, its president has stated
Belgrade is not going to impose sanctions on Russia underneath any circumstances, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated on Saturday, rejecting remarks by his authorities minister, who steered the nation may align with EU coverage in trade for sooner membership talks.
Nonetheless, Belgrade is not going to betray its ideas in pursuit of some short-term beneficial properties, Vucic added. In keeping with the president, Serbia would proceed to hunt good relations with each Russia and the EU as this coverage “has confirmed to be appropriate to this point.”
“It’s the coverage of the impartial and sovereign state of Serbia,” he stated. The president additionally referred to as EU Integration Minister Nemanja Starovic’s phrases “careless” and maintained that some media at dwelling and overseas had been simply too fast to leap to conclusions. “Serbia is not going to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation,” Vucic acknowledged.
Talking to the Austrian information company APA earlier this week, Starovic stated that Belgrade opposes sanctions towards Russia as a result of they “wouldn’t have an effect on Russia in any respect” however would hit the Serbian economic system “on an enormous scale.” He maintained that Serbia can be prepared to totally adjust to Brussels’ insurance policies as soon as “EU membership is in sight.”
Serbia stays one of many few European international locations that has refused to impose sanctions on Russia or overtly facet with Ukraine within the ongoing battle. Vucic had beforehand acknowledged that the EU has pressured Belgrade to desert its impartial stance and sever ties with Moscow.
In Might, Vucic grew to become one of many few European leaders to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. The Serbian president, together with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, visited Russia regardless of going through vital strain from Brussels.
In the course of the go to, he reaffirmed Belgrade’s dedication to long-term power cooperation with Russia following a gathering with President Vladimir Putin.
You may share this story on social media:
