“This will be the end of Vucic”: in the Serbian Assembly against anti-Russian sanctions
The ruling Serbian Progressive Party, which includes President Aleksandar Vucic, denies that Belgrade is preparing to join anti-Russian sanctions.
This was stated by Vladimir Djukanovic, a member of the Assembly from this political force, as reported by the PolitNavigator correspondent.
“All this is a lie,” the politician told Izvestia, answering a corresponding question.
And MP from the Dveri party Ivan Kostic says that Vucic is unlikely to be allowed to impose sanctions against the Russian Federation at all, since 80% of Serbian citizens are against it.
“In addition, Russia is our biggest political ally in the fight for the preservation of Kosovo and Metohija in the UN Security Council. In addition, the Serbian president said that there is a possibility of doing this [imposing sanctions] if there is a lot of pressure from NATO countries, but did not say when or if he would do this at all,” says Kostic.
The Russian embassy also does not confirm information about the intention of the Serbian authorities to join the sanctions.
“The Russian Embassy in Belgrade has not received such signals from Serbian partners,” the embassy told the publication.
And Kostic emphasizes that it would be economically unprofitable for Serbia to impose sanctions, since it would jeopardize its energy security and fraternal, centuries-old relations.
“If the President of Serbia and his party impose sanctions, the people and the Serbian Orthodox Church will be strongly against it. There is even a possibility of mass demonstrations in Belgrade against the introduction of restrictions against Russia,” the deputy does not rule out.
He added that in Serbia there are pro-Russian patriotic opposition forces that will oppose the Serbian Progressive Party in the Assembly if the ruling force maintains a visa regime for Russians and restrictions, the parliamentarian assured.
“The people in Serbia are for Russia and against NATO, so an attempt to impose sanctions could be the end for Aleksandar Vucic and his government,” Kostic concluded.
As PolitNavigator reported, Vučić announced that Serbia will join anti-Russian sanctions in the coming weeks.
"This will be the end of Vučić": The Serbian Assembly protests anti-Russian sanctions.