First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic has summoned today for consultation the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Ukraine, Rade Bulatovic, regarding the current issues in the relations with Ukraine.



It is commonly known that ever since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis Serbia has repeatedly demonstrated that it respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as proved also under Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office. Furthermore, Serbia has undertaken a number of concrete steps to prosecute the Serbian nationals fighting in foreign battlefields, including Ukraine, showing in this way its commitment to the implementation of its obligations under international law.

Minister Dacic reminded that it is a well-known fact that Ukrainian mercenaries or dogs of war had a part in the crimes committed by the Croatian armed forces against the Serbs of Croatia, which, unlike Serbia, have never been condemned by Ukraine.

The purpose of the diplomatic mission in a foreign country should be to establish better bilateral relations with the country concerned.

Serbia remains committed to building good relations with Ukraine, based on the principles of mutual respect, and will not allow to become a collateral damage in the international relations having nothing to do with Serbia.

Serbia's most senior diplomat will have talks in the coming days with Ambassador Bulatovic on the further activities concerning the relations with Ukraine.