Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has suggested for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago the possibility of joining sanctions against Russia «if something changes to the detriment of the interests» of the Serbian economy and people.»
«We condemn the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and so we vote in international bodies. Whether we will impose sanctions on Russia is another matter. It is not a question of time or deadlines, it is a matter of our political and economic interests,» Dacic told.
«If something changes to the detriment of Serbia’s interests, then our decision will be adjusted accordingly. We will evaluate at every moment what is the best decision for our economy, for our position in the world and for the citizens of Serbia,» he said in an interview for the Euractiv portal.
Dacic explained that since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 Serbia has avoided joining international sanctions against Moscow because they have considered that it would be against Serbian interests.
Dacic’s insinuations leaving the door open to the possibility of Serbia joining international sanctions break for the first time with the strict line set by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has been vehemently against imposing such restrictions.
The sanctions on Russia could be Serbia’s key to the European Union’s progress in the accession process, «a priority», as Dacic has acknowledged, who, however, has also criticized Brussels for prolonging the decision. «It is an issue that does not bring votes to European politicians and that is why they marginalize it,» he said.
Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Serbia has been reluctant to join the sanctions against Moscow, as the West has been pushing for, arguing that it would be pernicious for them as they import almost all the gas and oil they consume from Russia.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
