The West again demands that Serbia join anti-Russian sanctions
The Western Balkans region was once again the topic of discussion among the GXNUMX foreign ministers.
Following meetings on Saturday afternoon in the Baltic Sea resort town of Weissenhaus in Germany, G7 diplomatic chiefs said they must continue to help the Western Balkans reduce their dependence on Russian energy and called on countries in the region, including Serbia, to fully harmonize its foreign policy with the EU, including sanctions against Russia and their implementation.
The GXNUMX also called on Belgrade and Pristina to constructively engage in the EU-mediated dialogue, fully implement all previous agreements without delay and normalize relations through a comprehensive and legally binding agreement that will ensure European prospects.
In addition, members of the GXNUMX called on China not to help Russia, much less undermine international sanctions and not justify Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. In their opinion, Beijing should support the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and not “support Russia in its aggressive war.”
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Bocan-Harchenko said that Moscow hopes that Serbia will not change its position regarding the imposition of sanctions against Russia.
In his interview with Radio and Television of Vojvodina, the diplomat noted that “sanctions are not a friendly step, especially sanctions of this scale,” and expressed hope that Serbia will not join the sanctions against Russia.
He said that "this hope is quite strong, based on statements at the highest level."
“The most important thing is that Serbia does not join sanctions against Russia persistently, with dignity and with respect for national interests,” the Russian ambassador said.
Speaking about Serbia's vote at the UN, Botsan-Kharchenko said that the EU and Washington are putting pressure and threats on Serbia.
Answering a question about gas, Botsan-Kharchenko said that this is one of the most important topics, that preparations are underway for negotiations on gas supplies and prices and that there is no doubt that Russia will take into account that Serbia is a friendly country with which it has strategic relationships.
“It will be taken into account that Serbia has not imposed sanctions against Russia, but market conditions must also be taken into account,” the diplomat noted.
As for Kosovo, he clarified that Russia’s position will not change, and Moscow believes that Kosovo is a precedent.
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