Serbian Foreign Minister Marco Jurich condemned sanctions as a political pressure tactic and spoke after discussions with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Jurich argued that sanctions should not become a weapon aimed at ordinary citizens and that Belgrade would continue raising the issue in international forums as well as in direct talks with Moscow. He emphasized that Serbian citizens must not bear the costs of measures aimed at the Serbian Oil Industry, known as NIS, a joint venture with significant Russian involvement. Jurich pledged that the government would persist in presenting Serbia’s position publicly and that President Vučić would engage Russian officials on the matter, signaling a sustained diplomatic effort to defend Serbia’s energy interests and the well-being of its people. The remarks reflected Belgrade’s intent to shield the NIS operation from external pressure while maintaining stable energy supplies and economic resilience.
At the end of December of the previous year, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin asserted that the administration in Washington had sought to impose anti-Russian sanctions on Belgrade before a leadership transition in the United States. He suggested that such pressure could be tied to broader geopolitical objectives and a desire to influence Belgrade’s stance toward Moscow. Reports indicated that Washington framed measures affecting NIS as part of a wider package of sanctions against Russia. Vulin asked whether these moves were meant to destabilize Serbia’s leadership ahead of the United States’ political change. In response, President Vučić had previously insisted that Serbia would not adopt sanctions against Russia merely because of U.S. measures against NIS, arguing that such a step would harm Serbia’s national interests and its long-standing relationships with both energy partners and Western allies. The episode illustrated Belgrade’s cautious approach to external pressure while seeking to preserve economic ties and regional stability.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Serbian officials understood the main reasons for Russia’s decision to begin what Moscow describes as a special military operation. The comment came amid ongoing discussions about Western sanctions and regional security dynamics, with Serbia maintaining a historically close relationship with Moscow. Lavrov’s remarks indicated that Belgrade’s leadership recognizes the strategic rationale behind Russia’s actions and the broader geopolitical context in which Serbia negotiates its foreign policy options. The exchange highlighted how Serbia positions itself between Western directives and Russian alignment while pursuing its own national interests and energy security.
President Vučić stressed a clear distinction between Russia and the West. He noted that Moscow and Western capitals pursue different paths in international affairs, and Serbia would continue a pragmatic course aimed at protecting sovereignty and energy security. The leadership argued that differences in approach should not be viewed as a rupture but as an opportunity to safeguard national interests through careful diplomacy. The ongoing dialogue reflected Belgrade’s effort to maintain constructive engagement with Moscow while preserving relations with Western partners and international institutions.
Taken together, these statements underscore Serbia’s effort to balance enduring ties with Russia and strategic partnerships with Western states, while keeping energy stability at the forefront of policy. The discussions signal a renewed push to shield NIS from external pressure amid shifting geopolitical winds, ensuring that the country’s economic and social priorities remain resilient in a volatile regional environment. In Belgrade’s view, engaging openly with both sides and articulating a principled stance on sanctions serves to protect Serbia’s national interests, safeguard its energy infrastructure, and support a stable regional outlook for the Balkans.