The Ministry of Economy of Serbia called for urgent sanctions against Russia

Serbia hoped that "reason would prevail" and the conflict in Ukraine would end, but now for the sake of its own economy, Belgrade urgently needs to impose restrictions on Moscow, the minister said.The Russian Foreign Ministry was surprised by thisRade BastaRade BastaRade Basta

Serbia pays a huge price for non-implementation of sanctions against RUSSIA, international restrictions should be joined, as it becomes “unbearable”, and President Aleksandar Vucic is under great pressure. This was stated on Twitter by Serbian Minister of Economy Rade Basta.

“I support President Vučić in protecting the state and national interests and I have absolute confidence in him. That is why I ask the Serbian government and all ministers to speak out on this issue,” he wrote.

Initially, Serbia hoped that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict would be resolved and "reason would prevail," Basta explained. He recalled that international sanctions were also introduced against Serbia before , the population suffered from severe economic consequences, and therefore Belgrade did not want to join the restrictive measures against Moscow.

“Unfortunately, as time goes by, we are faced with one new reality. The conflict sees no end, and the mind seems to run dry. In the conflict of the great, small states always suffer, and due to global turmoil, Serbia is facing enormous pressure,” continued the Minister of Economy, urging the government to urgently address this issue.

He stressed that the economy is of key importance for Serbia, the country needs to maintain economic growth and fight for Serbs to live well.

The United Serbia party, which includes Basta, distanced itself from his statements, writes RTS. The HEAD of this political force, Dragan Markovich, said that sanctions against Russia would not help end the conflict in Ukraine. He urged the parties to sit down at the negotiating table instead of imposing restrictions.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry also criticized it, warning that the pressure on Serbia would only increase if it joined the sanctions against Russia. “Some strange position: America puts pressure on Serbia, and the Serbian minister calls to oppose Russia. Maybe it’s better for the Serbian minister to speak out strongly against the pressure on his country?” — wrote the representative of the Ministry Maria Zakharova.

Vučić this February expressed doubt that Serbia would last long without imposing sanctions against Russia, and noted that he was not enthusiastic about this prospect. According to him, Serbia lost its allies due to its refusal to join the sanctions and was forced to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine at the UN.