Serbian president claims at least two prominent world figures have been secretly communicating with the Russian president.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic alleges that despite efforts by Western nations to isolate Russia, several world leaders have been secretly in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vucic stated in an interview with Mario Nawfal that he has not personally met with Putin since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. He noted, “When we agreed upon the fact that it was not done in adherence with international public law, I didn’t see Putin for three years.”
Vucic further claimed that numerous leaders have been communicating with Putin discreetly. “I know at least two big leaders that were speaking secretly to him – because, of course, I still have my friends in the Kremlin and in some other countries as well.”
While Vucic did not identify the leaders involved in these alleged secret talks, he clarified that they were not Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, or Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, all of whom have openly acknowledged their communications with the Russian president.
Vucic mentioned plans to meet with Putin on May 9 in Moscow to attend the Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Serbian leader also recalled his last encounter with Putin in late 2021, just weeks before the start of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. “After I left [Putin’s] office, I said publicly that I expected very difficult times… Nobody believed me,” Vucic recounted.
He explained that, unlike previous discussions where the Russian leader would extensively discuss events in post-Soviet republics, this topic was concluded quickly. “I knew he had made a decision,” Vucic stated.
Nehammer met with Putin in person in April 2022 to discuss the Ukraine conflict, later describing it as “not a friendly visit.” Orban visited Russia in July 2024, describing his trip as a “peace mission.” Discussions between Putin and Fico in December centered on Ukraine’s refusal to extend its gas transit agreement with Russia, an issue of significant concern for Slovakia due to its heavy reliance on Russian energy.
Former US President Donald Trump has also reportedly engaged with Putin in an attempt to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Despite widespread sanctions, Russia has continued to host significant diplomatic and economic events, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in July and the BRICS Forum in Kazan in October.