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“SANCTIONS WOULD MEAN THE END OF COOPERATION”: Russian ambassador warned Serbia, also spoke about the sale of NIS!

by Serbian Times5. March 2026.5. March 2026.

The Ambassador of Russia in Belgrade, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, said today that if Serbia were to introduce sanctions against Russia, “the sanctions themselves would lead to the termination of cooperation” between the two countries.

“If one country joins sanctions, then there is no cooperation – sanctions automatically suspend it. That does not depend on Moscow’s wishes,” the ambassador told Radio Television of Serbia, emphasizing that Russia wants relations with Serbia to continue and develop.

The ambassador acknowledged that trade exchange between Serbia and Russia is declining, but stressed that this is a direct consequence of Western sanctions against Moscow.

“Serbia is surrounded by countries that support the sanctions regime and that is why we are facing difficulties, primarily in transport, logistics and finances,” Botsan-Kharchenko explained, emphasizing that “the most important thing is that Serbia has not joined the sanctions.”

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Speaking about energy, Botsan-Kharchenko assessed that the global gas market is currently very unstable and emphasized that Serbia has a stable supply.

“Today there is a stable inflow of gas at a price that is unbelievably low for Europe. That is the best contribution of our friendly cooperation,” Botsan-Kharchenko said.

Speaking about the possible sale of a stake in Naftna Industrija Srbije, Botsan-Kharchenko said that these were exclusively commercial talks.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the ambassador said that the obstacle to peace is on the Ukrainian side, and that as far as security is concerned, Russia will of course not accept the expansion of NATO into Ukraine.

“For Russia there are options for a long-term solution and eliminating the sources of the conflict,” Botsan-Kharchenko said.

The ambassador also said that the Russian pavilion at the exhibition Expo 2027 Belgrade will be among the more interesting ones, and that Russia has determined that it will mark its national day at the exhibition on June 12, on Russia Day.

“Our concept fully fits the theme of Expo 2027. Based on that, the pavilion and exhibition of the Russian Federation will be formed, and I am sure it will be one of the most interesting,” the ambassador emphasized.

According to him, the exhibition could become a platform for new economic agreements and the improvement of cooperation with Serbia.