Vucic: Serbia upports Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity, Refuses to Introduce Sanctions against Russia

Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/MO)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Feb. 25 that Serbia offered its full support to the territorial integrity of Ukraine and that it believed that violating it was a mistake, but that it refused to introduce sanctions against Russia because it invaded its neighbor.

Speaking to reporters after a session of the Serbian National Security Council in Belgrade, Vucic said that Serbia had faced contradictions and sanctions and brought “a sober, level-headed decision in the best interest of Serbia.”

“Serbia respects international law and will continue to abide by it, because it is the best way to protect itself, its interests and principles. Serbia also understands its own needs, and whatever someone who doesn't belong to the Serbian leadership might want, Serbia has its vital national and state interests,” the president said, adding that Serbia honored traditional friendships as well.

Reading out the conclusions of the National Security Council, Vucic said that the latest developments in the east of Europe were most regrettable, and that Serbia considered Russia and Ukraine friendly states, and Russians and Ukrainians as brotherly nations. “Serbia believes that violating the territorial integrity of any state, including Ukraine, is very wrong,” Vucic went on, quoting the Council. Serbia respects its own and the integrity of other states, and borders can be changed only under the rules of international law, the Serbian president explained in his speech.