The Serbian President believes that as the military operations in Ukraine continue, the pressure on his country from the West will increaseBELGRADE, February 4.
/tass/. Serbia had to vote for a resolution condemning Russia's operation in Ukraine in order to remain in the international arena. This was stated on Friday by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at a special open meeting of the Assembly (Parliament) of the Republic dedicated to the negotiation process of Belgrade and Pristina.
"We did not impose sanctions against Russia, but we had to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine [at the UN General Assembly] in order to remain in the international arena," Vucic said, adding that he understands why the West is putting so much pressure on Serbia to resolve the issue of Kosovo and Metohija in the context of the current geopolitical situation.
"I think it became clear to them that it would be much harder to defeat Russia than they imagined," the Serbian leader said, noting that as the military operations in Ukraine continue, pressure on Serbia will increase.
Vucic noted that it was "his own fault" that he did not impose sanctions against Russia, and Serbia "pays a high price for this," but the republic needs Russia's support in the UN Security Council, which voted against the adoption of a resolution accusing Serbia of genocide.
Earlier, Vucic said that the republic was forced to choose between isolation and agreement with all the points of the new Franco-German negotiation plan, which implies, among other things, the entry of unrecognized Kosovo into the UN. In addition, the West threatens to stop the process of Serbia's European integration, stop investments and sanctions if Belgrade does not accept the terms of the new concept of negotiations.
