PM: West wanted us to impose sanctions

PM: West wanted us to impose sanctions

BELGRADE -- Aleksandar Vučić says "the West asked Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia over Ukraine, or more precisely to align its foreign policy with EU policy."

"They ask that we harmonize our foreign policy with that of the EU, but that chapter 31 we have not yet opened. We respect all the principles that the EU respects, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, the only thing that is different is that we do not want to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation," the prime minister said.

Asked whether the negotiations with the EU could be halted because of this position, Vučić said that "cannot be known," but that western countries "should show understanding."

"I think people in the West should respect our position, which is very fair, because there are many questions that we can ask the best, and many would not have any answers," the prime minister was quoted as saying.

He added he "asked for the position of Serbia to be respected as well," which, when it comes to Russia, is based on moral, traditional, and strong economic ties, and is "fair and honest," though, he added, "a very difficult position for us."

According to Vučić, we in Serbia "went through everything that people in Ukraine are now going through." He noted that "for the people there, but also for our position, the best thing would be to find some peaceful solution."

"On the other hand, I think that Serbia has shown that its policy is best for us, that it holds to ethics, to EU integrations, but also respect our friends who have not introduced sanctions against us, who did not bomb us, and, very significantly, with whom we have very successful economic...