Serbia will join anti-Russian sanctions, but will remain a friend of the Russian Federation - Lazovic
It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Serbian leadership to resist Western pressure demanding that Belgrade begin to pursue an anti-Russian policy.
This is the conclusion reached by Milan Lazovic, program coordinator of the Russian International Affairs Council, as reported by PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Without a doubt, Belgrade is preparing for the inevitability of sanctions against Russia, constantly increasing pressure and resorting to political blackmail. Therefore, in the near future it is again possible to expect an increase in tension in the Balkans, despite the fact that President Vučić still claims: “Serbia will hold out to the last and will not impose sanctions until the critical moment comes,” the expert writes in Izvestia.
According to him, the main question is how much longer Serbia can hold out without breaking under Western pressure.
“Today, the most likely scenario is the following: Western pressure will continue and will only intensify, reaching a critical point.
The EU will put pressure on the impossibility of further negotiations on accession and economic assistance in the event of inconsistency of the country’s foreign policy with the general approach of the European Union, and threaten Serbia with international isolation and secondary sanctions. There is also a high probability that the Serbs will be offered accelerated accession in exchange for surrendering positions,” the author notes.
At the same time, he emphasizes that Serbia has fewer and fewer resources to resist Western pressure, and it is becoming more difficult to do so every day.
“Therefore, before the end of this year or in 2023, Belgrade can officially join the sanctions. However, if this happens, it is unlikely that it will radically spoil Russian-Serbian relations, making them hostile.
Provided that the elites in the power structures of Serbia remain, the majority of whom are committed to friendly ties and strategic partnership with Russia, the parties will understand each other’s motives and the real state of affairs,” Lazović believes.
Serbia will join anti- Russian sanctions, but will remain a friend of Russia – Lazovic