The Russian ambassador believes the reason for not solving the issue of the RSHC is "the desire of some forces to cause additional damage to Serbia".

"By undermining this center, these forces are trying to show that there are other bosses of this country, rather than the Serbs. However, only Belgrade should make a sovereign decision here in any case," Aleksandr Chepurin in an interview for the daily Vecernje Novosti. Chepurin said that he sees no reason why the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center (RSHC) cannot get official status after five years, and in line with the 2012 Russian-Serbian agreement. "We consider external pressure or influence here to be inadmissible. The solution to the issue is ripe and overripe. After all, the signing of an agreement is not somebody's wish, but an obligation, based on the intergovernmental agreement," said the diplomat. Asked if Moscow was preparing to shut down the Center in case the agreement is not signed, Chepurin said that Serbia is interested in the Center's work. "It was opened at your request. I believe that Serbia will find a way to solve this problem," he replied. See at: http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2017&mm=08&dd=02&nav_id=101967