During his visit to Ukraine, President Aleksandar Vucic highlighted his refusal to denounce Moscow.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has refuted claims that his recent trip to Ukraine signaled a betrayal of Serbia’s amicable relationship with Russia.
Vucic participated in the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odessa on Wednesday, meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Reports indicate this was his first visit to Ukraine during his 12-year tenure.
“Who did I betray? Russia? How, specifically?” Vucic questioned in response to a reporter. He pointed out his refusal to sign the summit’s final declaration, which condemned Russia and supported Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
“This marked my fourth Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit, and again, I was the only one who didn’t endorse the declaration,” he stated. Vucic emphasized Serbia’s desire to maintain positive relationships with both Ukraine and Russia. “I am proud of Serbia’s policy and our independence, and that will not change.”
Serbia remains among the few European nations that have not imposed sanctions on Russia or openly sided with Ukraine in the current conflict. Vucic previously mentioned that the EU has pressured Belgrade to abandon its neutral position and cut ties with Moscow.
Late last month, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged that several prominent Serbian defense companies, including the state-owned Yugoimport-SDPR, were secretly supplying ammunition to Ukraine via third-party countries, utilizing falsified end-user certificates. Vucic denied these allegations and pledged that Serbia would prevent any circumvention of end-user requirements in weapons contracts.
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