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The silent crisis in relations between Serbia and Russia has erupted publicly after the statement of the Serbian Minister of European Integration, Nemanja Starovic, who in an interview with the Austrian media APA stated that Belgrade may be ready to impose sanctions on Moscow after joining the European Union.
The reaction from Moscow was harsh. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement that the Serbian leadership should respect the will of its people, who are traditionally against sanctions against Russia.
" If the citizens of Serbia vote for ideas related to respectful relations, mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia, preserving our community and culture, developing ties and not imposing sanctions, then the Serbian leadership should respect the will of the Serbian people. They certainly should not deceive their citizens ," Zakharova said.
She recalled that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also reacted by calling Minister Starović's statement "reckless" and reiterated that Belgrade will not change its position in not joining the sanctions campaign against Russia.
Zakharova added that such statements endanger the special Russian-Serbian relations and that "Serbia should reflect on the steps it is taking."
" I don't even want to guess what prompted Serbian government minister Starovic to talk about Belgrade joining the West's illegal and illegitimate sanctions campaign against Russia, which is contrary to international law. Especially since, as we have heard, this statement has now been denied. Let them understand among themselves how such statements are possible. And, even more so, let them make an assessment of every step, possible or planned, if any ," the spokeswoman concluded.
This rhetorical clash is a clear signal of the multifaceted pressures on Belgrade, which is caught between its traditional pro-Russian orientation and EU pressure to harmonize foreign policy.
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