According to the President of Serbia, his country was under attack by the West because of the conflict in UkraineBELGRADE, January 23.
/tass/. Europe is, in fact, at war, no matter what politicians on the continent say. This was stated on Monday by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in an address to the nation.
"Europe is de facto at war, no matter what and no matter how they say. There is no more tolerance <...>. And they want everything in their yard, and the Western Balkans and, of course, the territory of the Republic of Serbia is their yard, so that everything here is as they want," Vucic said.
The President noted that since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the West has increased pressure on Serbia.
Serbia was under attack by the West
According to him, Serbia was under attack by the West because of the conflict in Ukraine. "If you look carefully at the last few months, after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict <...> it has become one of the biggest problems, believe it or not, for Serbia," the head of the republic stressed. "First of all, for the reason that we are in plain sight, because we have not imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation, and then because of the constant incidents caused by the regime of [unrecognized Kosovo Prime Minister Albin] Kurti."
Vucic said that the West threatens Serbia with stopping European integration, withdrawing investments and sanctions. "It is said: you must accept this plan [of negotiations with Pristina], and if you do not accept it in its entirety, de facto this is a new negotiating framework, you will face, firstly, a halt in the process of European integration, secondly, a halt and withdrawal of investments, thirdly, all-encompassing political and economic measures that will cause great damage to the Republic of Serbia. I quoted that," he said.
President Vucic has repeatedly stressed that Serbia's accession to the sanctions policy directed against Russia will not bring results. As the Serbian leader reported in a media interview on November 10, 2022, Belgrade will impose sanctions against Moscow "only with the sword of Damocles over his head."
After the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Vucic said in an address to the nation that Serbia supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but will not impose sanctions against the Russian Federation. The President said that the republic temporarily stops army and police exercises with all foreign partners. He noted that Serbia considers Russia and Ukraine fraternal states, regrets what is happening in eastern Europe, and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Kiev.
