Belgrade wants to keep balancing its ties with the West, China and Russia as it seeks to join the European Union and reach a settlement with Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told the Reuters news agency on Thursday.

Vucic said Serbia was ready to talk to Pristina “without a timeline” and “in good faith”, but added that mutual recognition was not on the agenda. “We are ready for talks but … no white flag,” he said. “The dialogue is welcome if it is a dialogue … in which it can be seen what is possible, what is a compromise,” the president added.

“We believe it is in the best interest of (Kosovo) Albanians and the international community … to talk about a free flow of capital, people and services,” Vucic said

The Serbian President said Belgrade did not plan to choose between Russia, a natural Slavic and Orthodox Christian ally; the EU, Serbia’s main trading partner; and China. “We have … our own agenda … one chair, not two … How could we say ‘Long live Hong Kong and long live Taiwan’ and then expect Chinese support for our territorial integrity (with Kosovo) … not to mention that they are our friends who have helped us,” Vucic said.

Vucic described himself as a “Euro-realist,” adding that EU membership remains Serbia’s stratregic goal: “Apart from joint values … 67% of our trade exchange is with the EU.”