Serbia sent a new message that it does not intend to align with Western sanctions against Russia, with the responsible minister Nenad Popovic categorically stating that Belgrade "has not imposed and will never impose sanctions on Russia," despite the "tremendous pressures" and "political threats" that, as he claimed, it receives.
Serbia denounces pressures and threats
The statements, made on the sidelines of the Innoprom exhibition in Yekaterinburg, highlight once again Serbia's intention to maintain its close relations with Moscow, despite the country's European path. The minister responsible for international economic cooperation of Serbia, Nenad Popovic, stated that his country is not going to impose sanctions on Russia, despite the intense pressures that, as he said, it receives from abroad. The statements were made on the sidelines of the 16th Innoprom international industrial exhibition, which is taking place in Yekaterinburg.
"We have not imposed and will not impose sanctions"
"We did not impose sanctions on Russia and we will never impose them. We face tremendous pressures, and even real political threats. We remain stable and we know who our friends are," stated Nenad Popovic.
Russia remains a crucial energy partner
The Serbian minister recognized that the European Union constitutes Serbia's most important economic partner, but argued that international balances are shifting. As he mentioned, the country's energy sector still depends to a large extent on Russia. "We possess the most reliable natural gas supplies and the best terms of cooperation," he noted, adding that the economic cooperation of the two countries is particularly important and is not limited only to the energy sector.
"Sanctions do not work"
Popovic characterized sanctions as "the most unfair tool," arguing that they do not produce results. "There is no country that speaks about national sovereignty without industrial sovereignty. Everyone is waiting for the sanctions to be lifted, knowing that the Russian market possesses great prospects," he stated.
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