BELGRADE: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said that the Western countries were increasing pressure on Serbia to recognize the independence of Kosovo.
Vucic, in his public address on Saturday, said that three things were expected from Serbia. The first was the recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo and Metohija and the renunciation of support for the Republika Srpska (one of 2 entities of Bosnia Herzegovina). The second was the introduction of sanctions against Russia and the adoption of an anti-Chinese stance, and the third was the establishment of a “puppet regime” in the country.
He said that the pressure was exerted on Serbia with the aim of destabilization, always synchronized, through the non-governmental organizations and media in both domestic and foreign pressure groups.
Serbia Considers Kosovo its Territory
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, with most UN member countries, including the United States, Germany, the UK, France, and Türkiye, recognizing it as an autonomous country.
Serbia, however, still considers Kosovo its territory.
NATO members Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Romania from the Balkan region joined Western sanctions against Moscow and sent arms and equipment to Ukraine.
Serbia and Croatia have major arms industries in the region, but Serbia refuses to impose sanctions on Moscow.
