Politico: Vuciq's Scholz slammed into recognition of Kosovo, sanctions against Russia

Scholz, who had come to Serbia's capital, Belgrade during a two-day tour of the Western Balkans, Greece and Bulgaria, told the audience that Serbia, as an EU membership candidate, must implement the sanctions the bloc has imposed against Russia for the war in Ukraine something the Balkan country has so far refused to do, writes Politico.

It is our expectations... that these sanctions will also be backed by all those who [see] themselves as EU accession candidates”, Scholz told reporters. Later at the press conference, he added that Serbia must make a decision of sanctions as soon as possible, arguing that “this is something that is best done not when [the war] is over, but when it still matters”.

Vuciq, however, withdrew, making a disctabil comparison between the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the NATO military mission against Serbia in 1999. “What difference does it make if someone attacks Serbia without the UN Security Council's decision, or if someone commits aggression against Ukraine without the decision of the UN Security Council? Please explain the changes to me”, he said, convey the news.net.

Politico praises it as an extraordinary statement by the Serbian leader. Even though NATO attacked Serbia in 1999 without UN Security Council resolution Russia and China vetoed it to protect Albanians in Kosovo amid fears of a potential genocide, which is very different from Russia's invading war against Ukraine, the medium is further followed.

Vucic also tried to justify his country's reluctance to sanction Russia by referring to Moscow's loyalty to Serbia to the Security Council and to close centuries-long ties between the two countries, as well as Belgrade's support in Russian energy imports. Serbia's “position is very complicated”, he said.

However, although differences between Scholz and Vuciq over the matter of sanctions against Russia had been somewhat predictable, another issue brought an even more heated clash between the two politicians.

Earlier Friday, Scholz had said during a visit to Kosovo's capital, Pristina, that Kosovo and Serbia can become EU members only if they recognise each other as independent states controversial for Serbia, which claims sovereignty over Kosovo, according to Politico.

Asked about Scholz's comments, Vuciq clarified attitudes for German Chancellor.

“to understand: We do not respond to pressure in this way, that someone threatens us and then we do something”, the Serbian president said. “What was said about mutual recognition is also a surprise to us”, he added. We have never heard of this from anyone in Europe since “

However, Scholz replied that our “position on the Kosovo issue is not new and argued it was “clearly” that countries who want to join the EU should recognise each other.

The clash between the two leaders was extraordinary, according to the medium, given that Scholz is considered an ally of Western Balkan countries.

Apparently, understanding this, Vucic tried to add some more friendly words: “We have full confidence in the words of Chancellor Scholz when it comes to the fact that he really gives high priority to the accession of Western Balkan states”, he said.

I know Chancellor Scholz is very serious about this. In fact, we can learn something, and the atmosphere can improve”, Vuciq added.