Serbia to remain independent in its approach to anti-Russian sanctions — Vucic
Earlier, the Serbian president said in his address to the nation that Belgrade supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but would not impose sanctions on Russia
Serbia will maintain its independent and self-reliant policy concerning anti-Russian sanctions and relations with Moscow, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a televised interview with RTV Pink on Wednesday.
“On the one hand, we should not get into a trap and look like a servant,” Vucic said. “On the other hand, we must preserve our independence and self-reliance concerning decisions targeting Moscow. If you want, also for moral reasons, as in 2015 Russia helped us at the United Nations Security Council (by vetoing the UK-drafted resolution that would have condemned the Serbs for a genocide – TASS). Russia did not bomb us in 1999 (NATO aggression against Yugoslavia – TASS). And do not forget that in the UN Security Council Russia alongside China, frankly speaking, stood up for Serbia’s territorial integrity.”
“Can we, who are so insignificant politically and economically compared to Germany, the US and the EU, pursue our own policies now? So far, we have withstood it. It is another question if we will be able to do it in the future,” the Serbian president said.
Earlier, the Serbian president said in his address to the nation that Belgrade supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but would not impose sanctions on Russia.
Vucic said that Serbia would suspend any joint military exercises with all foreign partners. He noted that Serbia believes Russia and Ukraine to be fraternal nations, feels sorry about the recent developments in Eastern Europe and remains ready to provide humanitarian aid to Kiev.
On February 24, Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics.
Russia demands that Ukraine should be demilitarized and de-Nazified, should have a non-aligned and non-nuclear status, should recognize Crimea as part of Russia and recognize the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
In the meantime, the United States, the United Kingdom and some other states slapped sanctions on Russia.
