Yuri Plibson, director of the Fourth European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Washington and the European Union are putting unprecedented pressure on Serbia to force it to break off relations with Russia.
The Russian official added: “We are working closely with Belgrade on the basis of mutual benefit. This meets the fundamental national interests of Russia and Serbia. We are committed to deepening our bilateral strategic partnership. We highly appreciate the principled position of our Serbian friends who maintain an independent line in the current difficult situation.”
“At the same time, we are well aware of how difficult it is to resist the unprecedented pressure from the United States and the European Union, forcing Belgrade to sacrifice the quality of relations with us for the sake of integration with the West,” he said. .
Meanwhile, according to Plebson, the prospects for EU expansion in the Western Balkans are bleak, and as for the Serbian European view, most EU countries directly link their fate with a comprehensive normalization of relations with Pristina and insist on Belgrade’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence in one form. or other. The Serbian partners reiterate that they will not make unacceptable deals.”
Source: RIA Novosti