"Serbia will never do something that contradicts our national interests. Many major Western states are present at international forums as the so-called 'friends of Kosovo,' and we are expected to introduce sanctions against Serbia's friends. We want good relations with everyone but we cannot act against ourselves," Dacic was quoted as saying by the Foreign Ministry.
He added that "intimidating Serbia does not work anymore" and that Belgrade was open to cooperating with everyone but put the country's national interests first.
Russia supports Serbia's position on Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. It has since been recognized by over 100 UN member states, while Belgrade considers Kosovo part of Serbia. Dozens of countries, including Russia, do not recognize Kosovo's sovereignty.
Since 2014, relations between Russia and the West has gone downhill amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions Crimea's reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.
