Serbian President explains decision not to recognize Crimea as part of Russia
Serbia has not recognized Russia’s annexation of Crimea, since it would have implied recognition of Kosovo’s independence, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told Le Monde in an interview.
“We have not recognized Crimea as part of Russia. If we did that, it would imply that we support the independence of Kosovo,” the Serbian leader said.
He also explained why Belgrade has not placed sanctions on Russia.
“Serbia cannot shoot itself in the foot by introducing sanctions against Russia. Put yourself in our place. Which other permanent UN Security Council member supports our territorial integrity? Everyone understands our position,” Vučić remarked.
According to him, at the stage of EU membership negotiations, Serbia will not participate in sanctions against Russia, and in future it is hoped that relations between Russia and the EU will improve.
The Kosovar Albanians’ armed resistance in 1998-1999 ended after a 78-day campaign of NATO airstrikes against Serbia, which helped to bring an end to the bloody repression of ethnic Albanians.
Repression of Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians by the government of Slobodan Milošević, Serbia’s president at the time, claimed roughly 10,000 victims.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. The new country was recognized by 113 countries, including the US, but Kosovo’s independence is still not recognized by Serbia or Russia. Ukraine also has no diplomatic ties with the former autonomous region of Serbia.
International organizations have recognized the annexation of Crimea as illegal, and condemned Russia’s actions. Western countries have placed a number of economic sanctions on Russia. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has declared that February 20, 2014, is the official starting date of Russia’s occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol.