FM Dacic: Sanctions on Russia Were Always an Option

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, Belgrade, Belgrade, Feb.22 2023 (Photo: Dijana Vukomanovic)

In stating that imposing sanctions against Russia is an option should Serbia’s economy and citizens begin suffering irreparable damage, official Belgrade has not said anything new, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic announced on March 27. 

Speaking for Happy TV, he explained that the government has held this stance since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis. According to him, the media simply chose not to report that part of his statement because they “didn’t find it interesting.” 

Dacic took the opportunity to reiterate that Serbia may levy sanctions against Moscow in the case of “irreparable damage” to Serbia’s economy and citizens i.e. if pressure on the country increases, and added that, so far, the authorities have not had to consider such action. 

The foreign minister stated that Serbia has never had a large volume of trade with Russia – barely two to three billion U.S. dollars annually, of which the majority comprised fuel imported from Russia. Dacic further claimed that those who have allegedly imposed sanctions on Russia have actually increased their trade with the country in the past year.

The minister concluded by recalling that Serbia has always supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity and has voted in favor of all U.N. resolutions reflecting this stance.