Opposition Presidential Candidate Zdravko Ponos Condemns Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Zdravko Ponos( BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/MO)

Zdravko Ponos, a presidential candidate of the United for the Victory of Serbia coalition, has said he advocates territorial integrity of U.N. member countries and condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but described as “uncivilized” measures against Russian students and removing the work of Russian writers and composers from theaters and opera houses.

Ponos told the March 15 issue of Belgrade daily Danas that the sanctions only strengthened the regime, made people miserable and impoverished, and created negative emotions toward those who had imposed such sanctions. He added that Serbia’s decision to condemn the invasion in the U.N. General Assembly was due to strong international pressure.

“Now, the regime is frantically looking for a ‘timeout” for declaring a stand on the situation in Ukraine, but not for national, but rather party interests. Everything has been in the service of the upcoming elections. If they were to win the vote, they would either trick the voters, or the West. But they will not get an opportunity as they will lose the elections,” Ponos said.