
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on October 17th in Belgrade that “As long as we can resist, without jeopardizing our most vital and state interests, we will follow the policy set in consultation with the National Security Council” regarding sanctions against Russia.
”When we cannot, we will address our people, our citizens, and tell them why Serbia cannot resist imposing sanctions, Vucic said during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the security and Information Agency (BIA).
“I don’t think you can have a clearer and more concrete message,” Vucic said.
“And when I said that even so pushed and so threatened, we change our decision and that we should change our policy in accordance with the expectations of some people, I’m just telling you that it would not last more than five days, they would beat our shoulders twice, issue two announcements and then start new pressure and a new story related to Kosovo,” Vucic said.
Serbia has stepped back in terms of foreign policy alignment with the European Union, said the European Commission’s progress report released on October 12th.
The report also states that in 2021, Serbia adjusted its positions to those of the EU by 64 percent, while in August this year, this percentage dropped to 45 percent, due to Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Russia.
Russia is subject to Western sanctions over its aggression against Ukraine.
Serbia is the only country in the Western Balkans that has not joined the EU in imposing sanctions on Moscow./REL/