The European Union expects all membership aspiring countries to align with the bloc’s stance in sanctioning Russia, after recent developments in Ukraine.
Most Western Balkan leaders condemned the recognition of the two separatist regions by Russia, except for Serbia.
The Lead Spokesperson of the European Commission for Foreign Affairs, Peter Stano, told Serbian Voice of America that candidate countries must respect the decisions of the European Union.
“Serbia is a candidate country and as such it must harmonize with the decisions of the EU in the areas of foreign policy and security”, he said.
On Wednesday, the Chief of Staff to the President of Kosovo, Blerim Vela, said Serbia is playing a double game in foreign policy and must come out with a clear stance.
⛔️ #Serbia is the only country in the WB region not to condemn #Russia’s recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk.#Vučić’s maneuvering space for a bipolar foreign policy has shrunk. He has to clearly state whether he opposes Russia’s aggression against #Ukraine. The choice is clear!
— Blerim Vela (@Blerim_Vela) February 22, 2022
Russia recognized on Monday the proclamation of independence of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Shortly after, the EU sanctioned 353 members of the State Duma, Russia’s legislative body, for voting in favor of the proclamation of independence of the two eastern Ukrainian separatist regions.
US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday the first sanctions against Russia targeting the sovereign debt as well as members of the Russian elite.
Today, I announced the first tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. And if Russia goes further with this invasion, we stand prepared to take further steps as necessary. pic.twitter.com/8t87wyMq6q
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 23, 2022
Biden intends to cut Russia off Western funds.
“That means we’ve cut off Russia’s government from Western financing. They can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our markets or European markets either,” said the US President.
Biden threatened to slap Russia with even more sanctions if the situation escalates even further.
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