Rade Basta, the economy minister for Serbia, stated on March 13 that he was in favor of imposing sanctions on Russia and urged the other ministers in the government to do the same immediately.
The minister’s call for sanctions comes amid an escalation of the current war in Ukraine. Despite pressure from the West to do so, Serbia has so far declined to impose sanctions on Russia. In Serbia, where a sizable portion of the population supports Russia, the subject is delicate.
Serbia is already paying a high price for not placing sanctions on Russia, according to Basta, a member of the national-conservative United Serbia party, and its position is becoming untenable. Serbia cannot remain mute in the face of Russian aggression, he claimed.
“Our nation is already suffering greatly as a result of not applying sanctions against Russia, and this situation is unsustainable. As the Minister of Economics, I find it inacceptable that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is being subjected to such pressure while we keep mute “On Instagram, Basta posted.
“For these reasons, I support the imposition of sanctions on Russia, I support President Vucic in the defense of the state’s and the nation’s interests, and I have complete faith in him. I am requesting a statement on this matter from the Serbian government and all of its ministers because of this “said Basta.
Basta stated that Serbia won’t decide to implement sanctions impulsively.
“Serbia had hoped that the confrontations would cease and reason would triumph. As a country that has experienced sanctions throughout history, and whose people have suffered serious economic repercussions, Serbia had hoped for these conflicts to end. Yet as time has gone on, reality has altered, and the struggle is still going strong.
Basta stated that Serbia won’t decide to implement sanctions impulsively.
“Serbia had believed that the disputes would cease and that reason would triumph because it has experienced sanctions throughout its history and because its citizens have endured serious economic repercussions. Yet as time has gone on, reality has altered, and the struggle is still going strong. Smaller nations are always the losers in conflicts between larger nations, and as a result of the upheaval in the world, Serbia is under tremendous strain “RTS, a broadcaster, cited Basta.
The minister emphasized the need for the government to have a cohesive stance on how the nation will go, saying that Serbia has denounced Russian aggression against Ukraine since the war’s inception.
“In contrast, it has defended its domestic interests in dealings with the Russian Federation. Serbia initially refrained from joining the vast majority of nations that placed sanctions on the belligerent nation. Yet, since the situation worsens every day, Western nations have harshly criticized Serbia for refusing to abide by the sanctions” Basta emphasized.
Basta is confident that Vucic and the Serbian government would make every effort to maintain peace and stability.
Basta emphasized the significance of preserving economic growth and offering a better life for Serbian citizens despite the challenging foreign policy scenario.
“Serbia has a serious, autonomous, and responsible policy, and it will continue to defend its citizens”, he declared.
Basta’s remarks come at a time when President Vucic of Serbia and the country are facing intense pressure from the West to settle the conflict with Kosovo, a former province that separated from Serbia in 2008.
On March 13, Vucic will meet with EU ambassador Miroslav Lajcak in Belgrade, and on March 18, he will meet with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Ohrid, North Macedonia, to discuss the implementation of the EU plan. Vucic has began a campaign to form the National Movement for the Defense of Serbia, which will promote national unity and a prosperous future for Serbia.
