US urges Serbia to join sanctions against its ally Russia

A U.S. Senate delegation has urged Serbia to join the rest of Europe and impose sanctions against Russia for its bloody campaign in Ukraine

BELGRADE, Serbia -- A U.S. Senate delegation on Tuesday urged Serbia to join the rest of Europe and impose sanctions against Russia for its bloody campaign in Ukraine.

“We understand Serbia has a long cultural and economic history with Russia,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) after the three-member bi-partisan delegation met Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic.

“But this is a moment where there is great risk if we, as a democratic community, don’t send a united message about the consequences of Russia’s behavior in Ukraine,” he told reporters. “And our hope is that we will be able to stand with Serbia in the coming weeks and months to send that clear message to Russia.”

Although Serbia voted in favor of three United Nations resolutions condemning the Russian aggression against Ukraine, it has not joined international sanctions against Moscow.