BELGRADE, March 29. /TASS/. Belgrade is constantly under pressure because of its independent policy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in an address to the nation.

"It’s general pressure on Serbia and its people," Vucic said, pointing to the country’s military neutrality and refusal to join sanctions on Russia.

According to Vucic, Western countries "are under huge duress because of the Russian armed forces’ achievements and uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine."

Earlier, Vucic said on social media that Serbia was in for hard times as the news of the previous few days "directly threatens the vital national interests of both Serbia and Republika Srpska" (one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina - TASS). The president told reporters later that the situation in the country remained stable and safe despite being difficult.

Addressing the nation soon after the launch of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, Vucic said that though his country supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it would not impose sanctions on Russia. He also announced that Serbia would temporarily suspend all army and police drills with foreign partners. Vucic pointed out that Serbia saw Russia and Ukraine as fraternal nations and was disappointed about what was going on in Eastern Europe. He added that Belgrade was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Kiev.