Dacic comments on the Ukrainian crisis and Serbia's relations with Russia

Photo: Tanjug/Dragan Kujundzic

President of the Socialist Party of Serbia and of the Serbian National Assembly Ivica Dacic has assessed that Serbia must not join various condemnations and sanctions against Russia because of the situation in Ukraine, since the countries that are asking Serbia to do so did not help in 1999, when Serbia was bombed.

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On the other hand, former President of Serbia and leader of the Social Democratic Party Boris Tadic thinks that Russia carried out aggression against Ukraine and that it will be a big problem when the EU pressures Serbia to impose sanctions on Moscow.

However, Dacic is of the opinion that Serbia should not join any sanctions.

"Are we (Serbia) an energy power, so everything depends on the stance we take? We me must look after our own interests. We have done enough suffering for others. Let's preserve relations with the EU and with Russia and China, because no one will be defending us if they (Russia and China) stop defending us," Dacic told RTS.

He said that the crisis in Ukraine happened because the West did not respect the agreement that NATO would not expand to the East.

"We must balance, both the Ukrainian and the Russian people will pay a high price. We appeal for peace," said Dacic.

Photo: Tanjug/Strahinja Acimovic

Appearing on the same RTS program, SDS leader Boris Tadic said that Russia has carried out an aggression against Ukraine.

Tadic said that Serbia cannot support the recognition of Donetsk and Lugansk, since that is contrary to its interests because of Kosovo and Metohija.

"If we condemned the invasion of Serbia, we cannot support that recognition now. We must have a balanced policy," he said.

Tadic, however, added that it will be a big problem when the EU puts pressure on Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia.

(Telegraf.rs)