Serbia has no interest in joining NATO or endorsing European Union sanctions against Russia, despite the government's ambitions of joining the EU, Serbia's ambassador to Moscow said on February 12.
"As for the question of accession to NATO...Serbia has proclaimed military and political neutrality, and so far no one has changed this approach. Serbia is not preparing to join NATO," Ambassador Slavenko Terzic told reporters in Moscow, adding, "We will not join sanctions against the Russian Federation, and never will."
Neighboring Kosovo, which Serbia still claims as a territory, is seeking EU membership and the current government in Serbia also aspires to join the EU.
The tiny Balkan state of Montenegro recently created a stir by entertaining an invitation to join NATO.
But Terzic said Serbia will maintain its ties with Moscow, a longtime ally, and intends to soon join Russia's Eurasian Economic Union.
He also said Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic will visit Moscow on March 9 and is hoping to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at that time.
