As Europe and Western Balkan countries like Albania and North Macedonia close their airspace to Russian aircraft following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Serbia has decided to increase flights instead.
EU countries, candidate countries and the UK all banned Russian flagged aircraft from landing in their airports or traversing their skies as a part of wide-ranging sanctions designed to impact the Kremlin. But Serbia, the only country in Europe asides from Belarus who has failed to put sanctions on Russia, has stepped up flights between the two countries.
According to the Air Serbia website, 15 flights between Belgrade and Moscow are now on the schedule, up from eight before the war broke out last week. While flights continue to take off and land, flight times have increased due to the avoidance of Ukraine airspace.
This means that flights from Russia can come to Serbia and those onboard can then access the European Union.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Serbia voted in favor of the resolution “deploring” the Russian aggression against Ukraine at a UN General Assembly emergency session on Wednesday.
The resolution passed with 141 of the 193 members states voting in favor, 35 abstaining, and five against – Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, and Eritrea. It demands the immediate and complete withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.
Originally the draft used the stronger word “condemn” to express the countries’ stance but was later changed following disapproval by some.
The vote in favor of the resolution came as a result of increased pressure on Serbia, mainly from the European Union.
Speaking to the press from Belgrade after the vote, President Aleksandar Vucic clarified that Serbia did not change its previous stance and that the text does not mention any sanctions.
