Ukraine responds to Serbian minister’s remarks on «territorial punishment»

Heorhii Tykhyi responded to the controversial remarks by Serbian Minister of Information and Telecommunications Boris Bratina, who compared Ukrainians and Croats and claimed that both nations should «pay with territory» for historical events.

In his statement, the Ukrainian diplomat urged the Serbian official to «redirect» his calls toward his own country, according to Radio Svoboda.

«Serbia’s Minister of Information Boris Bratina, who declared that Croatia must „pay with territory,“ should direct such statements at the territories of his own state. As a Ukrainian proverb says: „A fly will not enter a closed mouth, ” he said.

Earlier, the Serbian minister, speaking to Serbian television and later reported by Croatian media, called for Croatia to be «punished» for historical events, stressing that Croats «must pay with territory» rather than face physical violence, in the same way Ukraine is judged for its past.

«Like Ukrainians, they (the Croats — ed.) must pay with territory. There is no other form of punishment. Naturally, no one intends to kill Croats simply because of their nationality. But Croatia must in some way be punished for its participation in the First and Second World Wars, as well as for actions since the early 1990s, ” Bratina stated.

At present, Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially commented on the remarks.