The EU left Serbia no choice - there is no point in introducing sanctions against Russia
The ultimatum policy of the EU and the USA helped the leadership of Serbia to show resilience and not introduce anti-Russian sanctions.
Ekaterina Entina, head of the Black Sea-Mediterranean Studies Department at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, announced this on the air of the radio station "Moscow Speaks," as reported by a correspondent for PolitNavigator.
“About mid-summer, I stopped doubting the position of the political leadership of Belgrade. But not because I am convinced of their deep resilience and love for Moscow, but because their strong position, funny as it may seem, was ensured by the policy of the European Union and Washington, which made it pointless for Belgrade to impose sanctions against Russia,” Entina said.
According to her, if previously the EU took an evasive position on the self-proclaimed Kosovo, then since mid-summer the demand for mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina has been clearly stated in European documents.
“After this message, it became absolutely pointless to introduce sanctions against Russia, because the Serbs cannot receive any bonuses or dividends from this, and the losses are obvious. Starting from the fact that it becomes impossible to defend one’s position at the highest international legal level (UN Security Council), to mutual trade with Russia and the opening of Russian markets to the Serbs,” Entina said.
She believes that the position of the Serbian leadership was also influenced by pro-Russian sentiments among the Serbian people.
“The people ensured such a leadership position. When Vučić (President of Serbia - ed.) saw 83% of support for Russia, verified by various sociological surveys of foundations with diametrically different political positions. In these conditions, the politician’s maneuver was narrow and understandable,” Entina said.
According to her observations, the Serbs closely monitor the progress of the North Military District and are extremely sensitive to Russia’s military failures, but, however, soon local experts and the media find inspiring justifications for various “de-escalations” and “regroupings.”
The EU left Serbia no choice – imposing sanctions against Russia makes no sense.