Sergei Lavrov talks about Serbia for Serbian media: You are right to call yourselves independent

Photo: Profimedia

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia is noticing pressure being exerted on the Balkan countries and Serbia to join sanctions against the Russian Federation. The interview provided the public in Serbia with the opportunity to learn first-hand about the position of the world's largest country on the current conflict in Ukraine, but also the view from Moscow regarding all the possible consequences of the Russian military operation, when it comes to Serbia and the region.

Recommended

"Russia knows what pressure Serbia is under, as well as other Balkan countries, in order to join sanctions. In that we see America's attempt to impose its hegemony in the Balkans. We deeply respect the Serbian people, Serbian culture, Serbian history, their commitment to traditional friends, and we are sure that Serbia will continue to make smart choices in this situation.

We are brotherly peoples, we are bound by a common history, common victories against a common enemy, and we see how deeply these feelings are rooted in the soul of the Serbian people and their historical memory. We never impose anything by force, which the West does through economic and other blackmail. That is not decent, that is not the way to behave in society or on the international scene, when they try to twist everyone's arm," said Lavrov.

"Those who refuse to join sanctions against Russia are right to call themselves independent states, regardless of how small their territory may be," the Russian diplomacy chief said, among other things, in his special interview for the Serbian media.

(Telegraf.rs)