Navalny's death may worsen Serbia's relations with Russia
Photo: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (Getty Images)
The death of opposition figure Alexei Navalny in prison may worsen relations between Serbia and the Russian Federation. However, Belgrade does not plan to impose sanctions against Putin's regime, states Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in an interview on Prva, a Serbian television company.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed shock at the news of Alexei Navalny's death, a critic of the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that Serbia's current stance towards Russia should be considered in the context of developments in Ukraine and the results of the US presidential elections.
This was the first instance of the Serbian President publicly commenting on Navalny's death.
At the same time, Vučić noted that Serbia is still not discussing the imposition of sanctions against Russia.
Despite Russia's war, Aleksandar Vučić has consistently maintained good relations with the Kremlin while simultaneously seeking to bring his country closer to EU membership.
Serbia remains the only country in Europe that has refrained from imposing sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Death of Alexei Navalny
On Friday, February 16, the 47-year-old Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny lost consciousness during a walk in the Arctic penal colony Polar Wolf, where he was serving a three-year sentence.
Later, the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous district reported the politician's death.
The official cause of Navalny's death has not been announced yet. Two possibilities are being considered. Russian media have suggested a thrombus detachment as a likely cause.
Meanwhile, Serbia recently received another batch of weapons from Russia, despite international sanctions due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
