Serbia does not support EU statement on Navajo death

Serbia has not supported the European Union's joint statement concerning the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navajo, REL diplomatic sources in Brussels said.

This statement, on behalf of the EU, has been presented by the high representative for foreign policy and security, Josep Borrell.

Free Europe Radio teaches that non-EU members have had deadlines until 28 February to join this statement. By that date, Serbia has not expressed itself on this topic and that means it has not supported the same. With the EU's statement of Navajo death, neither has Turkey.

Sources in Brussels confirmed that all other Western Balkan states supported the European bloc's statement, through which Russian President Vladimir Putin is directly held responsible for the death of the Kremlin's criticism.

Serbia, even in the past, has not adapted attitudes to EU foreign policy, especially to issues dealing with Russia. Despite calls from the EU, for each candidate state aimed at joining the bloc to adapt to EU statements and positions, Serbia has continued to ignore these calls.

Serbia has also not joined EU-set sanctions on Russia due to its unprotested fight against Ukraine.

Otherwise, Navalny, a fierce critic of the Kremlin, died earlier this month in a Arctic prison where he was serving a long sentence on charges of extremism.

His family, associates, and many Western governments have directly blamed Putin for the death of Navajo. / REL