UN: Decision to obstruct Lavrov's trip reflects commitment to keep Russia responsible

“This reflects Europe's commitment to holding Russia responsible for its untested and untested aggression in Ukraine”, State Department spokesman Ned Price said at his daily press conference in response to American Voice questions.

The Russian top diplomat had scheduled a two-day visit to Serbia starting Monday.

He described the decision of three of Serbia's neighbours as NATO members.

“E knows there will be many explanations, which we haven't heard yet. Countries that have denied flying mean they have received an order from the European Union and NATO. They will already say that these countries have personally placed”, he said at a press conference.

Price said the three countries' move was a sovereign decision of sovereign countries and stressed that they are coalition countries.

The three countries are NATO members and Article Five's (NATO) commitment to these countries is steadfast. Only yesterday did we mark the 5th anniversary of Montenegro's membership in NATO and in March the two-year anniversary of Northern Macedonia's membership”, he said.

Minister Lavrov said no one will be able to destroy Russia's relations with Serbia.

Whatever, these relationships will not disappear from other channels. We invited Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic to visit Moscow in a short time. I hope his plane is not sanctioned shamelessly by shameless Brussels. and his clients”, Minister Lavrov said.

But the State Department spokesman called on Serbia to focus on the goal of EU membership.

“We urge Serbia to focus on its stated goal of EU membership, including harmonisation of its foreign and security policies with the rest of Europe”, he said.

Price said the United States has repeatedly urged Serbia “to take steps that contribute to the progress of its European road, including diversification of its energy sources to reduce energy dependence on the Russian Federation and approach its foreign and security policies with the EU.”

“We have worked and continue to work to be Serbia's partner to help in its efforts to boost energy security in the long-term future”, the spokesman said.

The warning of the Russian minister's visit followed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a new three-year gas supply contract from Russia.

The Serbian president says he aims at his country's membership in the European Union, but for years has worked to strengthen ties with Russia and has so far refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow due to its aggression in Ukraine.

The Serbian president said he is not surprised at what happened to the annulment of the Russian minister's visit, but he expressed dissatisfaction with what <x0mosphere “) underlining that he has never seen such hysteria against Serbia”.

He added that the ban on flying the Russian foreign minister's flight was not very surprising, but the problem was on the small <x0-venes, which see that they cannot do anything to Russia, so they want to be exploited over Serbia”.