Vucic: West wants recognition of so-called Kosovo, sanctions on Russia, puppet regime in Belgrade

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the weekend Western powers expected three things from Serbia: a recognition of so-called Kosovo, sanctions on Russia and a puppet regime in Belgrade.

Addressing the nation from the Presidency of Serbia on Saturday, Vucic said the first demand included giving up on Republika Srpska.

"Giving up on Republika Srpska is a key reason. The fact is that things in Ukraine, and against Russia, are not going as easily as some in the West thought they would. The Russians are the ones who have the initiative... ...The pressure on Serbia will grow, while the pressure on (Pristina's PM Albin) Kurti will not. It will, but only as long as there is no reaction from Serbia, which we do not want either," Vucic noted.

"As part of that, giving up on Republika Srpska and actively working against it important, and we will be the good guys only if we give up on it," he explained.