Die Welt: Berlin surprised and desperate with Belgrade to step up pressure on Russia

Berlin wants Serbia to decide either for the road to the European Union or for partnership with Russia, the Welt newspaper from Berlin reports Express say.

“The necessity of the decision is growing in a geopolitical development function”, a representative of the Government told the German newspaper anonymously.

As it further says, in Berlin there were “surprised and disappointed” when Serbia signed agreements with Russia's Foreign Ministry because, as they say, it does not support the expectation that Belgrade will impose sanctions on Russia.

That plan, which was criticised by the West, was signed in September by former Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Sekalovic and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in New York. In Belgrade, they later claimed it was a informal consulting plan.

As Die Welt's source continues, in Berlin the impression that Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq is an experienced politician who is aware of the current position between the EU and Russia.

The “will become more and more uncomfortable sitting on that fence”, the source said.

Vuciq is said to expect German government support if he decides to lead the country towards the EU.

“If he decides to take another path, there will be consequences”, the source added.

The new government's deputy prime minister of Serbia and Defence Minister Milos Vuchevic recently said the government “is not considering” imposing sanctions against Russia.

He stressed that the conclusions of the National Security Council issued at the beginning of the war in Ukraine are still valid. It says Serbia respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and that it refuses to impose sanctions on Moscow.