The US ambassador in Belgrade, Christopher Hill, said that Serbia’s ties with Russia are weakening every day, and at the same time, interest in cooperation with the European Union and the US is growing, reports the Serbian Beta agency.

Hill told regional broadcaster TVN1 that Serbia should join the sanctions against Russia, noting that claims that Belgrade has done nothing are untrue, given that he has condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine at the United Nations.

Asked whether Belgrade’s position in negotiations with Pristina is weaker because it has not imposed sanctions against Russia, Hill said those are different issues and stressed that Belgrade’s “constructive approach” to normalizing relations with Pristina will affect the speed with which Pristina that Serbia will move closer to the West.

“Serbia has already decided to turn to the West, but many Serbs are frustrated that the EU accession process is taking so long. I hope that the process will be accelerated,” Hill said.

When asked why the European plan to normalize relations between Belgrade and Pristina is secret, Hill replied that “I wouldn’t call it secret, but it’s something that falls under traditional diplomatic channels.”

“If you’re trying to do diplomacy through the media, there’s going to be a lot of misunderstanding,” Hill explained. Asked whether Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic would “cross the line” if he presented the European plan to a special session of the Serbian parliament, Hill said “it’s a hypothetical question” but “a big debate in the Serbian parliament.” Parliament is needed.”

“I think it is appropriate that the plan be discussed in parliament, but others should decide whether it should be presented or not,” said Hill, who did not directly answer the question of whether the West is more cooperative with Vucic or the prime minister. Kosovo Minister Albin Kurti, however, said that the Union of Serbian Communities of Kosovo should be formed, as this is an obligation related to the implementation of the Brussels Agreement.

Asked if he could confirm that the US was concerned about the appointment of Aleksandar Vulin as head of Serbia’s Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA) and would freeze cooperation with the agency, Hill said he would not speak publicly about security issues and private diplomatic contacts. .

“There are issues that the US takes very, very seriously, and one of them is intelligence cooperation, but I’ll stop there and leave the rest to your imagination,” Hill concluded. (Radar pickup)