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Russian envoy slams Serbian minister’s statement about sanctions on Moscow as absurd

On March 13, Rade Basta said that Serbia needed to join sanctions against Russia and called on all government members to speak out on the issue because, in his words, Belgrad "is paying a high price for not imposing sanctions on Russia"

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/. It was strange to hear Serbian Minister of Economy Rade Basta talk about the need for the country to join sanctions on Russia because he is well aware of the benefits of cooperation with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said on Wednesday.

"The absurdity is that this statement was made by the minister of economy who is supposed to know better than other government members that Serbia benefits from maintaining cooperation with our country," the envoy told the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

On March 13, Basta said that Serbia needed to join sanctions against Russia and called on all government members to speak out on the issue because, in his words, Belgrad "is paying a high price for not imposing sanctions on Russia." Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, in turn, emphasized that the country had refused to join the sanctions based on its national interests and international law. After the start of Russia's special military operation, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in an address to the nation that Belgrade supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but would not impose sanctions on Russia. He added that Serbia was 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 assistance to Kiev, Vucic stressed.

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