Vucic promises to maintain neutrality and extend gas agreement with Russia
Serbia will not jeopardize its national interests by joining Western sanctions against Russia.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated this in an interview with the Financial Times, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The head of state stressed that Belgrade will not choose sides, despite the EU’s call for membership candidate countries to agree to tightening economic sanctions against the Russian Federation.
“We have some kind of protection. What do Western countries want? Let’s give up all national interests just because someone wants something for themselves?” Vucic asked, pointing to the situation around Ukraine and the demands of the West.
He also says that in this situation there is only one side for him - the interests of Serbia. The Serbian leader recalled that Yugoslavia was bombed by 19 NATO countries.
“We did not impose sanctions against anyone because we believe that sanctions will not change anything. You can put pressure on Serbia, but this is our opinion,” Vucic said.
According to the publication, Vucic’s statements show that Belgrade wants to maintain ties with Russia and China, despite pressure from Brussels, which EU leaders are privately unhappy with.
The article notes that Brussels officials are wary of taking a tougher stance as it would increase Russian and Chinese influence in Serbia.
The publication recalled that Serbia recently purchased a Chinese air defense system, which makes it difficult or impossible for Serbia to participate in joint defense projects or EU exercises.
“We informed all our Western partners, including the United States in 2018, about the purchase of the Chinese system. We concluded an agreement in 2019, and they knew everything about it,” Vucic in turn told the FT.
He also called for resolving the issue of Kosovo's status.
The British publication believes that Serbia must control tensions in BiH, which are allegedly fueled by local Serbian leader Milorad Dodik, and Vucic says that he has always called on Serbian leaders to reject separatist plans.
“I told Dodik not to form an army, and he agreed. Peace and stability are most important in the region,” the Serbian president noted.
He also promised to make every effort to maintain peace in the region.
Speaking about Russian gas, the Serbian leader said that Belgrade has no immediate alternative and recalled that a long-term supply agreement expires next month and that Serbia will try to sign a new one.
“Before we diversify our sources of gas supplies, we must do this, we must survive, we must live,” Vucic concluded.
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