Vucic thanks Putin for Russia's readiness to supply gas to Serbia in winter, vows not to change Belgrade's stance on sanctions - media

BRUSSELS. Oct 21 (Interfax) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has thanked Moscow for its readiness to supply gas to his country in the upcoming winter season in his first phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the last two and a half years, Western media reported on Sunday.

"I especially thanked [President Putin] for helping [...] to secure sufficient natural gas quantities from Russia to Serbia this winter," media quoted Vucic as saying.

He vowed not to change Belgrade's stance on Western sanctions imposed on Russia and not to join them.

In early September, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin said that Belgrade would never impose sanctions on Russia or become a NATO member despite Western pressure. Vulin pledged that Serbia would not allow the relations of strategic partnership with Russia to be spoiled.