European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said on Friday that the European Union expects Serbia to align with its sanctions against Russia or impose similar national measures.

Stano said that the EU will be taking important decisions for Serbia based on Belgrade’s commitment to its values and principles. We are talking to Serbia within the pre-accession negotiations and through various contacts – from expert to the highest political level. The process is underway and our partners in Serbia are aware of the importance of this issue to the EU, Stano is quoted as saying at a regular news conference by Tanjug.

Stano also confirmed that the EU introduced a 5th package of sanctions against Russia, adding that Serbia, like all other EU partners, is called to align with this packet of sanctions.

European Parliament rapporteur Vladimir Bilcik welcomed the news of the Montenegrin government adopting sanctions against the Kremlin. “I hope all candidate countries in the Western Balkans can follow suit,” he said in a Twitter post.