Russian Ambassador: It’s better for us to build relations with independent Serbia
Serbia is under unprecedented pressure, but Moscow believes that Belgrade does not intend to join anti-Russian sanctions.
This was stated by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko in an interview with RTS.
“The pressure is incredible, but Serbia first of all respects its interests on the European path or on the path of developing relations with Russia. Of course, we have in mind its national interest,” the diplomat said.
“As for Russia, unlike others, it is very suitable for us to build relations, and for us it is best to build relations with a country that is sovereign, regardless of whether it is a big country or a small one,” the ambassador added.
Earlier, Member of the European Parliament Viola von Cramon told one of the Belgrade media that Serbia, if it wants to join the EU, must impose sanctions against Russia and recognize the independence of Kosovo.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also insisted on this during his visit to Belgrade.
When asked by a journalist what is the reason for the new wave of Russian immigration to Serbia, which is expressed, among other things, by the fact that since the beginning of the North Eastern Military District in Ukraine, more than a thousand Russian companies have opened in Serbia, the diplomat replied that one should not think that this is because for disagreement with Russian policy.
“In Europe there are attempts to give some false assessments of this situation, as if more and more people are leaving Russia due to disagreement with the special operation. Of course, there are such people, but they are individuals, because the majority of people in Russia express full support. Some come on business, for family reasons,” explained Botsan-Kharchenko.
Russian Ambassador: We'd Better Build Relations with an Independent Serbia