BELGRADE, March 14. /TASS/. Russia and Serbia will continue cultivating their mutually beneficial strategic partnership, proving its value in real life, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said on Tuesday.

"Despite the schemes of Western ill-wishers, Russia and Serbia will continue to build a mutually beneficial strategic partnership. To prove its value - moral and material - not in word but in deed," the embassy's press service quoted Botsan-Kharchenko as saying.

In his statement, the diplomat lashed out at the recent statement of US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill, who once again urged Serbia to join the anti-Russian sanctions.

On March 13, Serbian Minister of Economy Rade Basta expressed his opinion that the republic should join the sanctions policy against Russia and called on all ministers to speak out on the issue, since Belgrade is paying dearly for refusing to join the sanctions. For her part, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stressed that Serbia refused to join the sanctions because of its national interests as well as international law.

After the start of Russia's special military operation, President Aleksandar Vucic said in an address to the nation that Serbia supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but would not impose sanctions against Russia. According to the president, the republic is temporarily suspending army and police exercises with all foreign partners. Serbia considers Russia and Ukraine fraternal states, regrets what is happening in eastern Europe and is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Kiev, he stressed.