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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has begun his first official visit to Serbia, seeking to strengthen ties with a European country that has maintained close relations with Moscow despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky arrived in Belgrade on Friday and was welcomed at the airport by Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic before meeting Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for dinner.
The Ukrainian leader said the talks would focus on expanding economic cooperation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, areas of mutual interest and regional security.
“We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, other areas that can benefit our nations, and security issues,” Zelensky said on X.
Zelensky and Vucic are scheduled to hold formal talks at the presidential palace on Saturday, followed by a joint press statement, according to the Serbian presidency.
The visit marks a significant diplomatic development as Kyiv seeks to engage Serbia, which has historically maintained close political, economic and cultural ties with Russia.
Although Serbia is an EU candidate, Vucic has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The position has frustrated Brussels and complicated Belgrade’s efforts to advance towards EU membership.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP before Zelensky’s visit that Kyiv hoped to “pull the Serbs away from Russia’s side”. Vucic, however, has made clear that Serbia’s position on sanctions is unlikely to change.
“I am sure Volodymyr Zelensky, in line with his struggle and his views, will say what he thinks about sanctions against the Russian Federation,” Vucic said on Thursday. “But the Republic of Serbia set out its position four and a half years ago, almost five years ago, and has not changed it since.”
“That will remain the case until further notice,” he added.
Zelensky, who has travelled extensively since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion to rally international support for Ukraine, had not visited Serbia since becoming president in 2019.
Despite maintaining close relations with Moscow, Vucic has also sought to preserve ties with Kyiv and the West. Serbia remains heavily dependent on relatively cheap Russian gas, and Vucic has continued to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including through visits to Moscow.
At the same time, Serbia has provided non-military assistance to Ukraine. The Kremlin has accused Serbian companies of supplying ammunition to Ukraine, allegations Vucic has repeatedly rejected.
Vucic travelled to Ukraine for a regional summit last year and visited Kyiv again this year. He has pledged assistance to Ukraine but has stopped short of signing a formal declaration of support for Kyiv in the war.
Zelensky’s visit therefore reflects Kyiv’s broader diplomatic effort to engage countries that have maintained ties with Moscow, while Serbia seeks to balance its longstanding relationship with Russia against its ambitions for eventual EU membership.
