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BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia and Russia confirmed Monday {that a} deliberate go to by Russia’s international minister to the Balkan nation is not going to happen, with Moscow accusing the West of stopping the journey by blocking the envoy’s aircraft flight.
The announcement adopted studies that Serbia’s neighbors — Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro — had refused to permit Sergey Lavrov’s aircraft to fly by their airspace to achieve Serbia.
“An unthinkable factor has occurred,” Lavrov mentioned throughout an internet information convention Monday. “A sovereign state has been disadvantaged of its proper to conduct international insurance policies. The worldwide actions of Serbia on the Russian monitor have been blocked.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic earlier Monday met with Russia’s ambassador to Serbia who knowledgeable him that Lavrov couldn’t come as a result of the Russian authorities aircraft was denied needed flyover permissions, a press release issued after the assembly mentioned.
Vucic expressed “dissatisfaction” over the “circumstances” that prevented the go to and added that “regardless of all, Serbia will protect independence and autonomy in political decision-making.”
Whereas formally nonetheless in search of European Union membership, Serbia has maintained pleasant ties with Russia regardless of its invasion of Ukraine, refusing to hitch Western sanctions in opposition to Moscow. Many in Serbia view the fellow-Slavic nation as an in depth ally and Moscow has backed Serbia in its effort to retain its declare on Kosovo.
Lavrov blamed NATO international locations for engineering the flight ban — Montenegro, Bulgaria and North Macedonia are all members of NATO — noting that the motion confirmed once more that the principle objective of the alliance enlargement is to attempt to isolate Russia.
Lavrov nonetheless plans to journey for talks Wednesday in Turkey, the place he can fly immediately over the Black Sea. Turkey has sought to take care of good relations with each Russia and Ukraine whereas additionally attempting to assist worldwide mediation efforts within the battle.
The Russian international minister mentioned the West has trampled on the precept of a free selection of international coverage companions.
“From the Western viewpoint, Serbia mustn’t have any selection, any freedom in selecting its companions,” he mentioned. “The West clearly exhibits that it might use any base means to use stress.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov deplored what what he described as “hostile actions,” however mentioned this “gained’t considerably hamper the continuation of our nation’s contacts with pleasant international locations like Serbia.”
In Belgrade, Serbia’s pro-Russian Inside Minister Aleksandar Vulin expressed “deep remorse” {that a} “nice and confirmed” good friend of Serbia couldn’t come. Vulin added that “Serbia is proud that it isn’t a part of anti-Russian hysteria, and the international locations which might be (a part of it) can have time to be ashamed.”
Serbia, in the meantime, additionally is nearly absolutely depending on Russian fuel. Vucic just lately talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the telephone to rearrange a brand new deal on fuel provides for the subsequent three years.
Analyst Slobodan Stupar described Lavrov’s tried go to to Belgrade as a “present” that might have been utilized by Moscow to additional vilify the West.
“I imagine the Russians invited themselves” to Serbia, Stupar instructed The Related Press. “They’re terribly remoted. … They will now say that Europe and the world will not be democratic and will not permit a easy flyover.”
Stupar mentioned Vucic has positioned himself “in between” Russia and the West.
“That’s the worst attainable place one can think about,” Stupar mentioned.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is anticipated within the area later this week.
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Suzan Fraser contributed to this report from Ankara, Turkey.
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