Serbia will never enforce sanctions on Russia, says minister
Serbia’s minister for economic cooperation, Nenad Popovich, stated that no level of EU pressure will compel Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Serbia will not impose sanctions on Russia, despite significant pressure from the EU, according to Nenad Popovich, the minister responsible for Belgrade’s international economic cooperation. Popovich pointed out that Brussels has insisted that if Serbia hopes to join the EU, it must align with the bloc's policies towards Moscow.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the Serbian government has maintained its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity while refusing to impose economic sanctions on Russia, given the historically close ties between the two nations.
In an interview with Russia’s Vedomosti published early Thursday, Popovich noted that Serbia follows a multi-vector foreign policy, fostering relationships with Europe, Asia, and the Islamic world. Nonetheless, he emphasized that EU accession remains a priority for Serbia, which is geographically surrounded by EU member and candidate states.
However, Popovich criticized the EU's treatment of Serbia, asserting that the bloc has set a condition requiring Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia and to cease cooperation with Moscow, a precondition he described as “utterly unacceptable.”
“Moscow has nothing to worry about, Serbia will never impose sanctions… No pressure, even constant and strong, has or will change [Belgrade’s stance],” he stated.
He further explained that “the vast majority of our population is against any sanctions against Russia, as confirmed by recent polls.” He mentioned that opponents of such measures could number as high as 90%.
As co-chair of the Russian-Serbian intergovernmental committee on trade, economic and scientific cooperation, Popovich reported that the bilateral trade between the two countries has substantially increased, reaching $4.28 billion in 2022, which includes numerous projects in energy, infrastructure, and innovation.
According to him, these economic ties are reinforced by deep political connections, with Russia having supported Serbia on key issues, including the Kosovo situation.
“Our relations are strategic and friendly,” Popovich concluded.
In April, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that, despite external pressure and “blackmail,” the position taken by Belgrade “eight days after the start of the Ukraine conflict remains valid to date,” as reported by TASS. He added, “Serbia is small in size and population, but it is big when it comes to its heart, and enormous, literally a giant, in terms of statehood.”
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the Serbian government has maintained its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity while refusing to impose economic sanctions on Russia, given the historically close ties between the two nations.
In an interview with Russia’s Vedomosti published early Thursday, Popovich noted that Serbia follows a multi-vector foreign policy, fostering relationships with Europe, Asia, and the Islamic world. Nonetheless, he emphasized that EU accession remains a priority for Serbia, which is geographically surrounded by EU member and candidate states.
However, Popovich criticized the EU's treatment of Serbia, asserting that the bloc has set a condition requiring Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia and to cease cooperation with Moscow, a precondition he described as “utterly unacceptable.”
“Moscow has nothing to worry about, Serbia will never impose sanctions… No pressure, even constant and strong, has or will change [Belgrade’s stance],” he stated.
He further explained that “the vast majority of our population is against any sanctions against Russia, as confirmed by recent polls.” He mentioned that opponents of such measures could number as high as 90%.
As co-chair of the Russian-Serbian intergovernmental committee on trade, economic and scientific cooperation, Popovich reported that the bilateral trade between the two countries has substantially increased, reaching $4.28 billion in 2022, which includes numerous projects in energy, infrastructure, and innovation.
According to him, these economic ties are reinforced by deep political connections, with Russia having supported Serbia on key issues, including the Kosovo situation.
“Our relations are strategic and friendly,” Popovich concluded.
In April, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that, despite external pressure and “blackmail,” the position taken by Belgrade “eight days after the start of the Ukraine conflict remains valid to date,” as reported by TASS. He added, “Serbia is small in size and population, but it is big when it comes to its heart, and enormous, literally a giant, in terms of statehood.”
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
