Serbia says it categorically refuses to support sanctions against Russia

Serbia will never join the Western countries that have imposed sanctions restrictions against Russia, even if external pressure continues to be exerted on it. Deputy Prime Minister of the Balkan republic Aleksandar Vulin said this on December 21, noting that Serbia is an independent state.

"The pressure on Serbia from the West is always present, they ask us to impose sanctions against Russia, to stop Chinese investments, and to adhere to everything the EU and the US do, but we are an independent state. We will never impose any sanctions against Russia," Wulin told Chinese TV channel CGTN.

He noted that Russia is an ally and friend of Serbia. And they have much in common not only in the historical past, but also in the future. As for the relations with the United States, the politician said that he is not optimistic about the soon coming to power of President-elect Donald Trump, as there are no signs of a change in Washington's policy towards Serbia.

In addition, Vulin recalled the ongoing bombing of Serbia by NATO countries, condemning the aggression shown by the West towards the Balkan republic at that time.

"Russia has done nothing to harm us. Why should we harm Russia? And NATO bombed Serbia. NATO committed aggression against Serbia, terrible aggression," he pointed out.

"For the EU, the sanctions policy is turning into a triple failure"

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Before that, on December 16, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the start of negotiations with Russia and the United States over the possible imposition of sanctions against the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) from the American side. Earlier, on December 14, Vucic said that Serbia is not ready to "even discuss" potential sanctions against Russia, amid reports about the US plans to impose sanctions against NIS. The president specified that upon receipt of an official document on sanctions, he would try to talk to the US and Russia to resolve the issue.

Earlier, on October 25, Vulin told Izvestia that Serbia is ready to increase the transit of Russian gas through its territory to European Union (EU) countries. In addition, the republic has signed an agreement with Gazprom to increase gas imports.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.