Serbia's election winners rule out sanctions on Russia

The Serbian parliamentary election winners, the Student List, will not impose sanctions on Russia, one of its incoming lawmakers said on Monday, 26 October. Professor Jovo Bakic made the statement in an interview with the Russian propaganda outlet RT Balkan, as reported by European Pravda.

Bakic argued that sanctions from a small country such as Serbia “would change nothing for Russia, but symbolically it would be very bad.” He added that Serbia respects Russia as an important partner and will therefore not alter its policy toward Moscow.

“No change” in foreign policy

“We respect Russia both as a great power and as our historically important partner, and in many cases as a protector. In this respect (in the country's foreign policy) there will be no change,” Bakic said. He stressed that Serbs “lived through UN sanctions and know very well what a trial that is.”

Asked about Russian energy supplies, on which Serbia depends, and about EU pressure to give them up, Bakic said: “We are not here to please foreigners, but to work in our national interests.” According to him, the Student List has energy experts who will work on the issue.

Earlier reports said the Student List won the early parliamentary election with almost 53% of the vote. More in our politics section.