Vucic: Serbia will not impose sanctions against Russia, supports territorial integrity of Ukraine

Serbia will not be imposing sanctions on Russia, but it respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said after a meeting of Serbia's Council for National Security.

"In accordance with its policy and respect for international law, Serbia provides support for the integrity and respect for Ukraine's borders. Regardless of the provocations, we remain consistent in advocating that peace in the region should be preserved by respecting principles. Our policy must be more careful and lenient. We will be guided by our national interests when considering the need for sanctions. This includes the Russian Federation. We believe that it is not in our vital interest to impose sanctions," he stressed and pointed out that Serbia is faced with various forms of pressure and that decisions have been made with a cool head.

Vucic recalled that Serbia took part in many wars, during which we lost many people, and that we should now look to the future, reminding of international law at all times, protecting the interest of our people.

"This speaks to the need to be united behind our own country, to protect our people and our citizens and their lives. Let's look to the future and develop and speak clearly about the principles and norms of international public law, but preserving our interests and respecting a friendship built over a long time," said Vucic.

He said that everyone can see how much effort has been invested in every letter and every word in the document he presented, so as not to harm Serbia in any area and to, on the other hand, not deviate from the truth and norms of international public law.

The president of Serbia read out all the conclusions of the Council for National Security regarding the crisis in Ukraine and said that the document would be presented to the Government of Serbia within 48 hours.

The document contains 14 points, and among them is Serbia's position on sanctions against Russia, and supporting Ukraine.

"I asked the patriarch for his opinion, blessing and advice"

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Aleksandar Vučić (@buducnostsrbijeav)

Vucic said that he spoke with the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, and that he informed him about the conclusions that Serbia had made regarding the situation in Ukraine.

"I informed him about everything and asked for his opinion, blessing and advice. I read the text to him and pointed out all the problems we are facing as a country," Vucic reported.

Council session in Palace of Serbia, meeting with patriarch

Serbian National Assembly President Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, ministers of Defense Nebojsa Stefanovic, Justice Maja Popovic, Finance Sinisa Mali were also present at the Palace of Serbia...

After the session, the president of Serbia met with Patriarch Porfirije. It is not known what the topic of the conversation was, but it was expected that it would be the situation in Ukraine and the position Serbia would take on that issue.

Otherwise, today's meeting of the Council was preceded by another one held yesterday, and the president also attended a special session of the Government of Serbia on Thursday, during which further steps had been discussed.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Aleksandar Vučić (@buducnostsrbijeav)

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a decision yesterday to launch a special military operation in Donbass.

On the second day, explosions were echoing in Kiev. Ukrainian officials claim that Kiev was targeted during the night. In the early hours of Friday morning, Biden's administration said the Russians were about 30 kilometers from the capital.

During the first day of the operation, according to the claims presented by the Ukrainian president, 137 Ukrainians, soldiers and civilians, were killed.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called on Russia to immediately suspend its military operatoin and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

(Telegraf.rs)