Serbia to make big mistake if it joins sanctions against Russia – SPP leader

Serbia would make a big mistake if it joins the EU sanctions against Russia, Nenad Popovic, the head of the Serb People’s Party (SPP), told TASS on Saturday.

“It’s obvious that the European Union is increasing pressure on Belgrade with an aim to force Serbia to coordinate its foreign policy with Brussels and join the EU sanctions against Russia. That would have been a great mistake and would have contradicted Serbia’s national interests and the will of its people,” Popovic said.

“Russia is the main defender of our state and national interests in questions of Kosovo and Metohija and Republika Srpska (the Serb Republic in Bosnia). At the same time, Russia is the main protector of our vital economic interests. If Serbia joins sanctions against Russia, it means that we will give up all the political and economic advantages, which we have from our contacts with Russia, at our own free will and to our own detriment,” the SPP leader stressed.

“Besides, it means that we will turn our backs on our closest and most faithful ally, and such an attitude to your true friends has never been inherent to the Serbs. Russia has always been with our people in hard times. Today time has come for us to show solidarity with the people of Russia,” the politician said.

“In view of the fact that the European Union is going to build up its pressure on Serbia, the Serb People’s Party continues its ‘No to Anti-Russian Sanctions’ action, which has already been supported by tens of thousands of our citizens. This is the true will expressed by the Serbian people, who stand resolutely against sanctions against fraternal Russia,” Popovic emphasized.