Belgrade cites its historical ties to Russia and is inactive dependent on energy supplies from that country.Speaking alongside Serbia's president Alexandar Vučic at a press conference in Belgrade on Wednesday, von der Leyen stated that Belgrade must "take concrete steps" towards membership and show yourself ‘greater level of compliance’ with EU positions, including on sanctions.She added that Serbia's current level of compliance with EU abroad policy was 61%, but "More needs"stressing that Brussels wants Belgrade to act as "reliable partner".Vučić repeatedly said that Serbia would not impose sanctions on Russia under any circumstances, calling its country's position "independent and sovereign".
However, Belgrade's refusal to comply with these sanctions has caused expanding force from both Brussels and Washington.Last week the US imposed sanctions on the Serbian Oil manufacture (NIS), a large oil company partially owned by the Russian Gazprom Neft, which prompted Croatia to suspend oil supply.
Vučić warned that these measures could force the only Serbian refinery to close by November, which would endanger the supply of petrol and aviation fuel to the country.At the same time, Serbia is shaken by the wave of violent anti-government protests over the past year, which, Belgrade claims, are fueled by Western influences to destabilise the government.Russian abroad Intelligence Service (SWR) accuses the EU of attempting to organise ‘Serbian Majdan’ and the introduction of a pro-Brussels administration.Similar concerns were expressed by Budapest, claiming that Brussels wants "Overturn’ Governments of Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia for maintaining relations with Moscow and refusing to abandon Russian energy.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/626486-eu-serbia-sanctions-demand-russia/
