The Foreign Ministry announced the pressure of the West on Serbia due to air traffic with Russia

Moscow would like to increase the number of flights between RUSSIA and Serbia, but it is still difficult to predict due to the "serious pressure" of Western countries on Belgrade,Yury Pilipson, DIRECTOR of the Fourth European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said

Due to the fact that Serbia has not abandoned air links with Russia, Western countries are putting serious pressure on Belgrade, while Moscow would like to increase the number of flights, Yury Pilipson, director of the fourth European department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with TASS.

"Today, direct flights from Serbia to Russia - Moscow and St. Petersburg - are operated by the national air carrier Air Serbia," he said, adding that it is still difficult to forecast an increase in flights due to pressure from the West.

Pilipson also believes that Western countries are trying to disrupt air traffic between Russia and Turkey with the help of sanctions.

The Foreign Ministry admitted that the West wants to disrupt air traffic between Russia and Turkey Politics

Since the end of February, many major Russian airlines have suspended international flights after the closure of the airspace of the EU and other states for them, as well as after the sanctions, due to which European leasing companies suspended the supply of aircraft and spare parts to Russia and began to delay the already provided liners at foreign airports .

In response , Russia banned airlines from 36 countries from using its airspace, and domestic companies began to transfer foreign aircraft to the Russian registry.

Since April 9, Russia has resumed flights with 52 "friendly countries", which were suspended due to the CORONAVIRUS pandemic. Since May 3, all coronavirus restrictions on entry into the country have been lifted in Serbia.

Read on RBC Pro Pro Why Russian oil and gas is still coping with sanctions pressure Articles ProHow to Deal with Imposter Syndrome in Five Steps Instructions Pro Sleep 8 Hours a Day and Be Lazy:Healthy Habits by Jeff BezosPro What companies need to considercreating a corporate superapp for employeesPro Features of the business environment in Turkey: what kind of business do Russians open there Articles Pro From a magazine to an airline:Read Losing Your Virginity by Richard Branson Summary

Serbia refuses to join the EU sanctions against Russia, in connection with which it is criticized by other countries of the union. At the same time, she joined the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said in mid-May that Belgrade was facing repercussions for its stance on sanctions, in particular a lack of access to the capital market and difficulties in servicing loans. Despite this, Serbia will resist sanctions against Russia to the last, he said. At the same time, Vucic emphasized that Serbia's position is not anti-Western or Russophobic, despite being surrounded by NATO countries, Belgrade does not consider such a policy to be effective.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic urged Serbia to stop "sitting on two chairs" and decide on a position. Vucic also said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz “clearly and sharply” asked him to impose sanctions against Russia.

See also Western reaction to Russian sanctions 04:59