“Serbia will not jeopardize its national interest by joining sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia due to the war in Ukraine”.

These were the words used by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic when asked about his country’s stance on Russia, in an interview for Financial Times.

Vucic said Belgrade won’t ‘pick a side’, despite the EU urging the Western Balkan country to do so.

“We do have some sort of protection from Russia. What do the Western countries want? To renounce our national interest only because someone needs something for themselves”, he asked.

Vucic said Belgrade will keep its friendship with Beijing and Moscow, despite pressures from Brussels.

Serbia has long had strong political, economic, and security ties with Russia, which supports Belgrade’s refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence.