BELGRADE, Serbia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday that the Western countries are increasing pressure on Serbia to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

Vucic, in his address to the public, said that three things are expected from Serbia.

"The first is the recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo and Metohija and the renunciation of support for the Republika Srpska (one of two entities of Bosnia Herzegovina). The second is the introduction of sanctions against Russia and the adoption of an anti-Chinese stance, and the third is the establishment of a "puppet regime" in Serbia," said Vucic.

Vucic said that the pressure is exerted on Serbia with the aim of destabilization, always synchronized, through the media and non-governmental organizations in both domestic and foreign pressure groups.

"You will have the same attitude and attacks from civil society and various pressure groups that will go through the religious, fan, and many other groups," said Vucic.

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, with most UN member states, including the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Türkiye, recognizing it as an autonomous country.

Serbia, however, still considers Kosovo its territory.

NATO members Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania from the Balkan region joined Western sanctions against Russia and sent arms and equipment to Ukraine.

Serbia and Croatia have significant arms industries in the region. But Serbia refuses to impose sanctions on Russia.