Scholz: We Expect All Candidates to Join EU Sanctions against Russia

Olaf Scholz (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a June 10 visit to Belgrade that Berlin expected all candidates for EU membership to join the Union’s sanctions against Russia over its attack on Ukraine.

At a joint press conference after meeting with President Aleksandar Vucic, Scholz said that “everyone must know that the sanctions will not just disappear once the clashes in Ukraine have ended.” “This is a horrible, meaningless, imperialist war being waged by Russia, and it is important that all of us show solidarity with Ukraine and help the country defend itself. We have introduced sanctions, and it is important that as many states as possible join them. This helps Ukraine determine its future independently and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Scholz said.

When asked what consequences Serbia and Kosovo might suffer if Belgrade refuses to accept Kosovo’s independence, Scholz said that “the German stance is clear and has been known for years.” “What needs to be done now is for all of us to commit to the process, and make progress. Both sides need to make their own contributions, and are responsible for not blocking the process, not postponing meetings, and making a series of small steps to reach the ultimate goal,” the German chancellor said.

Scholz arrived in Belgrade from Pristina, where, after a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, he said that there was no place in the EU for states that did not recognize each other. “Kosovo and Serbia should reach political solutions through a comprehensive agreement. The dialogue is a path for Kosovo to materialize its European perspective. A political agreement between the two countries is an important condition for improving prospects for Kosovo’s youth. The agreement should also resolve the Kosovo issue, because it is unimaginable that two states that do not recognize each other join the EU. Each side needs to grow closer to the other,” Scholz said.