Serbia may introduce – under certain conditions – sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. This is the result of the statement by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, quoted on Sunday by N1 television. The chief of diplomacy stipulated that sanctions could be introduced if Serbian citizens and the economy start to suffer tangible losses.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Serbia Ivica Daczic reiterated that it was in Serbia’s interest to refrain from joining the impositions Russia sanctions, but it is necessary to analyze the impact of the previous decisions of the government in Belgrade on the Serbian economy.
If the people of Serbia and our economy start suffering tangible losses, we can introduce sanctions against Russia for its assault on them Ukraine – said the head of diplomacy.
Dacic noted that although Serbia has not imposed sanctions, trade between the two countries has decreased and “with some Western countries that have adopted sanctions, trade has increased.”
Serbia does not introduce sanctions against Russia
Rade Basta, Serbia’s Economy Minister warned on 13th March that the country was “paying a high price for failing to introduce sanctions against Russia and this position cannot be sustained.” He added that he himself was in favor of including Belgrade in the restrictions imposed in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Although Belgrade condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in UN votes, the Serbian authorities have so far refused to join international sanctions against Russia.
Main photo source: EPA/MIKHAIL METZEL/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN