Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Belgrade does not support Russia in the war against Ukraine, and also recognized that Crimea and Donbas are Ukrainian territories.

He said this in an interview with Bloomberg.

"We have said from the beginning that we cannot support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For us, Crimea is Ukraine, Donbas is Ukraine, and it will remain so," said Vucich.

He said he was grateful to Russia for its support on Kosovo, which explains why Serbia cannot support economic measures against Moscow.

"We (with Russia. - Ed.) traditionally have good relations, but this does not mean that we support every single decision or most of the Kremlin's decisions. The EU is our way. There are no other ways," the Serbian leader said.

Why is this an important statement for Ukraine?

Serbia is traditionally one of Russia's closest allies in Europe.

The European Union demanded that Serbia agree on its sanctions policy against Russia, given that Belgrade is seeking to join the EU.

Vucic called these calls "brutal interference" in the internal affairs of his country.

At the end of 2022, he said that he would not change his position on sanctions against Russia without threatening the vital interests of Serbia.

It was previously reported that Serbian militants are fighting in Ukraine on the side of the Russian invaders.

TSN.ua wrote why many Serbs have pro-Russian sentiments and sympathize with Putin's regime.

Read also:

• The Prime Minister of Kosovo explained why the Russian Federation is igniting a new conflict in the Balkans

• Kosovo is going to the EU: why Ukraine still takes an almost pro-Russian position regarding the partially recognized state

• Ukrainians are asked to refrain from traveling to Serbia and Kosovo

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