Serbia's Foreign Minister says no recognition of referenda in Ukraine

He at the news conference, September 25th, said it would be contrary to Serbia's state and national interests.

This would be entirely contrary to our policy of maintaining territorial integrity and sovereignty and dedication to the principle of border inefficiency”, Selakovic said.

In four regions of Ukraine, which is partially controlled by Russia, false Russian referenda are being held, which have started on September 23rd and will continue until 27th.

This act is considered illegal under international law, and the same has been condemned by Ukraine, the West, and the United Nations Organization.

The chief of Serbian diplomacy also said that in the margins of the UN General Assembly session on 23 September, Serbia and Russia signed the Plan for Consultation for the next two years. He said the document is “technical issue” and that it has been signed since 1996.

“Talk about bilateral relations and multilateral activity. The government has been able to reject such a plan, but there is nothing controversial about it and has been criticised by those who have not even seen”, Sakkovic said.

On September 23rd, Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published on Twitter a video of signing and exchanging signed documents.

The video may indicate that the Consultation Plan is signed in the facilities of the Russian mission to the UN.

This is the first high-level diplomatic document Serbia and Russia have signed since 24 February, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

Due to its aggression against Ukraine, Russia is under sanctions from the European Union, the United States and other Western countries.

Serbian authorities voted for several resolutions in the United Nations condemning Russia for the invasion of Ukraine.

However, Serbia, although a candidate for EU membership, refuses to harmonise its policy with European ones and impose sanctions on Russia.

European Parliament rapporteur Vladimir Bilchik has written on Twitter that news of the signing of the agreement sees as a major blow to the Western Balkans membership process.

European Parliament MP Violet von Kramon estimated that this could be the signal for freezing negotiations for EU membership, because according to her, entry into the bloc is not done through Moscow.

Serbia is a state dependent on Russian gas, and polls show strong support for the Serbian population for Russia, despite the fact that this state accepts the greatest assistance from the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

He calls the war <x0 special military operation” to demilitarise Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, striking the economy of this state with severe sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands have died, and millions of others have been displaced from their homes.