Vučić: Serbia requested sanctions against Russia be removed from declaration

(Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated in Belgrade that Serbia was against the inclusion of sanctions against Russia in the declaration agreed upon by leaders from the Balkans, the European Union, and Ukraine.

Vučić said that Serbia was explicitly against the stance concerning sanctions against Russia and that this stance was removed.

He stated that only Serbia was against it.

Leaders from the Balkans, the European Union, and Ukraine agreed on August 22nd at an informal dinner in Athens on a declaration which, among other things, states strong and "unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, based on the values of democracy and the rule of law".

“We agreed that there can be no impunity for war crimes and other crimes, such as attacks on civilians and the destruction of infrastructure, and that those responsible must be held accountable,” reads the declaration published on the official website of the Greek Prime Minister.

The Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova are listed as regions whose acceptance into the EU represents a “strategic investment in peace, security, and stability in Europe”.

Vučić told reporters in Belgrade that he is asked every day to impose sanctions on Russia.

The Serbian President stated that he had a decent and correct conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Athens.

He said they discussed everything, the situation on the battlefield, the European path, Kosovo, and Ukraine's territorial integrity.