Vučić: Serbia will impose sanctions against Russia only in case of existential threats

Serbia will join the anti-Russian sanctions only if its vital interests are threatened, President Aleksandar Vučić said in a interview TV channel RTS.

According to him, Serbia has no obligations to Russia, which imposed sanctions against it in 1992, but considers it a moral duty to abandon such a policy, since the republic itself was under sanctions. Belgrade will not impose sanctions as long as it does not threaten the vital interests of Serbia, he said.

“Not everything is black and white, I am pragmatic, I swore allegiance to my people and the citizens of Serbia,” Vučić stressed.

The President of Serbia also recalled that Russia supported the republic in the UN.

Earlier in September, the Serbian leader emphasizedthat does not consider sanctions a solution to the problem. In addition, according to him, Serbia “does not want to go against” those who previously supported it. Vučić called this position of the country “difficult policy”. The EU countries have repeatedly criticized the Serbian authorities for their unwillingness to join the sanctions against Russia. In June, MEPs adopted a resolution requiring Belgrade to join the EU sanctions.

Since the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the EU has already imposed eight packages of sanctions against Russia. The previous one was adopted on 6 October. In particular, it included limiting the cost of oil. It went into effect on December 5th. The EU countries have agreed on a price ceiling for Russian oil of $60 per barrel. Today, December 16, is expected to be officially approved ninth package of sanctions.