Serbian President Alexandar Vucic said on Friday that his country does not need foreign military bases because it is committed to neutrality.

During an interview with TV Prva, Vucic affirmed that Serbia will strengthen its own armed forces.

“Serbia will take care of its people and will be strong enough to be independent, build political alliances, not be ashamed of its good relations with Russia, the US, China, will be on the European path, and will take care of itself," he stressed.

President Alexandar Vucic stated on Friday that Serbia cannot pledge to preserve the current stance on the subject of sanctions against Russia.

Before the parliamentary elections on April 3, several Serbian lawmakers opposed imposing sanctions on Russia, but they later changed their minds, according to Vucic.

"I do not promise anything, I only promise the people that we will protect our policy as much as we can. And this my ‘as much as we can’ is stronger than the oaths of everyone else in this country on the political stage, who swear on books, blood, and so on," Vucic told TV Prva when asked if Serbia is able to manage external pressure when it comes to Russia sanctions.

It is worth noting that Serbians in early March rallied in Belgrade in support of Russia and Serbia has recently vocalized its refusal to join NATO, citing the 1999 killing of Yugoslavian children. 

Vucic, who has recently assumed office for the second term in April, also vowed to prosecute any volunteers participating in the war in Ukraine.

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