Serbia keeps ties with Russia, ignores Western calls for sanctions

Serbiaʼs stance on Russia remains unchanged despite pressure from the West. Aleksandar Vucic‚ Serbiaʼs president talked on the phone with Vladimir Putin a few days ago (its their first chat in about two years). Vucic shared on social media that the talk will help make Russia and Serbia closer friends.

Vucic said‚ “We talked like old pals and also discussed weak (pro-Western) leaders.“ He didnt say if heʼd go to the BRICS meeting in Kazan next week where Russia and China are the big players.

Serbia wants to join the EU‚ but wont put sanctions on Russia for the Ukraine war. Vucic thinks sanctions would hurt Serbia. He knows the West wont like him talking to Putin but says‚ “Serbia is free to make its own choices.“

Serbia still gets most of its gas from Russia at good prices. Vucic thanked Russia for this‚ but Serbiaʼs starting to look for other gas sources too.

On 10/20/2024 Serbia celebrated 80 years since Belgrade was freed from the Nazis. This happened thanks to Yugoslav fighters and the Soviet army. Lots of people marched in Belgrade with Russian flags to mark the day. Vucic even gave a speech in Russian to show respect for the Soviet armyʼs help back then

We talked as people who have known each other for a long time‚ as friends

Serbia – which was never part of the Soviet group – is trying to keep both Russia and the EU happy. Its a tough balance‚ but Vucic seems set on keeping it up