“The assessments and statements of Russian officials do not give anyone a reason and the right to accuse us of insinuations and attempts to “abuse” traditional friendly and sincere relations with Serbia, which are always based on equality, respect and mutual understanding, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

“We have complete mutual understanding with Serbia on the most important international issues, and in the course of contacts with our partners, we frankly show our position on the situation in Ukraine in the light of the special military operation,” the statement said. “such a balanced position is reflected in the conservative position of the Serbian leadership in relation to the Western sanctions policy and its initial unwillingness to participate in them to the detriment of its own interests.”

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Mining and Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlovic said earlier that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was “abusing Belgrade’s refusal to impose sanctions against Russia” and presents it as Serbia’s non-existent support for a special operation in Ukraine. These harsh statements came against the backdrop of Serbian Interior Minister Alexander Vulin’s visit to Moscow last week, during which Sergei Lavrov pointed out that “Moscow and Belgrade are committed to the principles of indivisibility and equal security for all countries.” “in the Balkans and in the situation raised by the West in Ukraine”.