The European nation has supported a Kiev-endorsed statement on the Ukraine conflict

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has apologized to his nation's citizens for Belgrade's vote in favor of a Russia-critical resolution in the UN General Assembly, stating that it was done "by mistake."

On Monday, the UN body passed two competing resolutions related to the Ukraine conflict, coinciding with the third anniversary of its escalation. Belgrade voted in favor of the version submitted by Kiev, which condemned Russia, a nation which has traditionally maintained close ties with Serbia.

"I think Serbia made a mistake today. I apologize to the citizens of Serbia for that and I take the blame for it myself, because I'm probably tired and burdened and can't get everything done," Vucic said during his appearance on the Cirilica program on TV Happy on Tuesday morning. Belgrade's stance of neutrality required it to abstain from weighing in on both measures, the president noted.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed satisfaction with Vucic's apology, noting that "technical errors" can occur. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted a message in Serbian, assuring that Russians are confident the Serbs will never betray them and feel their solidarity.

Serbia's vote was one of 93 in favor of the Kiev-endorsed statement. The US joined Russia in opposing it, highlighting a dramatic shift in Washington's policy since President Donald Trump took office. The American delegation submitted a neutrally-worded alternative draft resolution, which was modified before the vote at the suggestion of Ukraine's European backers. Ultimately, Washington abstained during the final voting.

Moscow opposed both draft resolutions at the General Assembly but later backed the original US text when it was presented for a vote at the UN Security Council, where it passed with 10 votes in favor and five European members abstaining.

France and the UK had the option to veto the motion at the Security Council but chose not to, leading Zakharova to question their consistency: "When did France and Britain act earnestly? Was it when they mutilated the American draft resolution at the General Assembly or when they approved a similar American project without amendments?"

READ MORE: Serbian leader says West spent billions trying to overthrow him

Moscow and Washington aim to mend their bilateral relations following years of antagonism, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution to end ongoing hostilities. However, the EU and certain Western nations oppose this development, insisting that assistance for Ukraine must persist. Trump has criticized Kiev for dragging donors into what he has deemed an "unwinnable war" against Russia.

(RT.com)