Ukraine: Serbia abstained from UN vote on resolution due to Russian blackmail over energy

The Ukrainian Embassy in Belgrade told Radio Free Europe (RFE) that Serbia’s abstention from the vote condemning the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia was driven by the country’s own national interests.

“We are aware of the complexity of the current moment – the Kremlin has openly begun to blackmail Serbia by delaying the resolution of energy supply issues,” the Ukrainian Embassy in Belgrade told RFE.

At the same time, the embassy expressed hope that, as an EU candidate country, Serbia will eventually back international efforts to achieve peace – which includes ensuring the return of abducted Ukrainian children.

The UN General Assembly resolution, which demands that Russia ensure “the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported” to Russia, was approved by 91 votes in favor, 12 against and 57 abstentions.

The United States and all EU member states were among those who voted in favor, while Russia and its traditional allies, such as Belarus and North Korea, voted against it.

Serbia did not participate in the vote and was, alongside Turkey, the only EU candidate country that did not support the resolution. All other Western Balkan countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania - voted in favor.