Serbia has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity while seeking to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries, President Aleksandar Vučić said on Saturday.
Vučić made the remarks during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s two-day visit to Belgrade, his first trip to Serbia since taking office in 2019.
Serbia has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but has stopped short of imposing sanctions on Moscow, maintaining longstanding political and economic ties with its traditional ally.
Belgrade also remains heavily dependent on Russia for natural gas, while Vučić continues to balance Serbia’s ambition to join the European Union with its close relationship with Moscow.
Vučić said Serbia would continue to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including areas seized by Russia since 2014.
“You have never heard a single bad word about our country, neither from Volodymyr Zelenskiy nor anyone else (in Ukraine), and I am extremely grateful to our Ukrainian friends for that,” Vučić said.
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He added that Serbia would support Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, although he expressed doubts that either country would achieve rapid membership.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen economic relations and work towards completing a free trade agreement by the end of the year.
The agreement is important to Serbia’s efforts to join the World Trade Organisation and is also considered a requirement for its eventual EU membership. Ukraine has blocked the agreement since 2005 over concerns about agricultural quotas and tariffs.
Zelenskiy said his discussions with Vučić also covered joint infrastructure projects, energy cooperation and food security ahead of the winter season in Ukraine.
Ukraine has suffered extensive damage to its energy infrastructure following repeated Russian attacks, raising concerns over energy supplies during the coming winter.
Despite Serbia’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Belgrade has maintained its refusal to recognise Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. Ukraine has also not recognised Kosovo’s independence, continuing to regard it as part of Serbia.
Vučić’s position reflects Serbia’s efforts to maintain close ties with Russia while advancing the country’s long-term ambition to join the European Union.
