Vucic rejects EU bargain over Moscow
(MENAFN) Serbia will not impose sanctions on Russia under any circumstances, President Aleksandar Vucic declared on Saturday, dismissing recent comments by his EU integration minister that suggested Serbia might consider aligning with EU foreign policy in exchange for accelerated membership talks.
Vucic emphasized that Serbia would not compromise its core principles for short-term political gains. He reiterated the country’s strategy of maintaining positive relations with both Russia and the European Union, calling it a proven and balanced approach.
“This is the policy of an independent and sovereign Serbia,” he said, while criticizing Integration Minister Nemanja Starovic’s earlier remarks as “careless” and accusing some media outlets of jumping to conclusions. “Serbia will not impose sanctions on the Russian Federation,” Vucic stressed.
Earlier in the week, Starovic told Austrian outlet APA that Serbia opposes sanctions on Russia not out of support for Moscow, but because such measures would significantly harm Serbia’s economy while having little effect on Russia. He added that Serbia could align with EU policies once full membership becomes a realistic possibility.
Serbia remains one of the few European nations that has not imposed sanctions on Russia or fully backed Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. Vucic has repeatedly acknowledged pressure from Brussels to abandon Serbia’s neutral stance and reduce its ties with Moscow.
In May, Vucic was among the few European leaders to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. There, alongside Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to long-term energy cooperation with Russia, despite criticism from the EU.
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