Vladimir Gajić, leader of the People’s Party (Narodna stranka) and head of the “Alternative for Serbia” coalition list, said Tuesday that an overwhelming majority of Serbs support Russia, arguing that Russia has historically not used force against Serbia.
Speaking to Russian outlet RTVI, Gajić said Serbian political leaders must take what he described as the public’s longstanding preference for Russia into account.
“An overwhelming majority of Serbs are on Russia’s side because the Russians have never fired on us,” Gajić said, according to a statement issued by his party.
He also accused the West of committing what he described as “two genocides against the Serbian people” during the two world wars.
“Every Serb knows this, even those who are far removed from history and politics. This choice of the people cannot be changed, and every Serbian politician must take it into account,” Gajić said.
Commenting on the possibility of Serbia imposing sanctions on Russia, Gajić said such measures would have little economic impact on Moscow, noting that Russia had withstood what he described as tens of thousands of Western sanctions.
However, he argued that sanctions would carry political significance and would amount to a symbolic betrayal of Serbia’s relationship with Russia.
“That would be a symbolic betrayal of our friendship and alliance, and Russia would not forgive Serbia for it, whoever is in power here,” Gajić said.
He also pointed to Russia’s position on Kosovo at the United Nations Security Council, arguing that Moscow’s veto power protects Serbia’s territorial integrity.
“Serbia does not have its own vote there,” Gajić said, referring to the Security Council, adding that Russia would veto any attempt to advance Kosovo’s UN membership.
Gajić’s remarks come amid ongoing debate in Serbia over the country’s foreign-policy orientation, including its relations with Russia and the West and its position on sanctions against Moscow.
