Zelenskyy makes first official visit to Serbia, calls trip 'a slap in the face for Russians'

Published Aug 8, 07:17 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first official visit to Serbia on Saturday, holding talks with President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. The visit comes as Ukraine seeks to bolster international support amid intensifying Russian strikes, including an overnight bombardment of Kyiv that killed at least three people. A senior Ukrainian official described the trip as 'a slap in the face for the Russians,' given Serbia's historical closeness to Moscow. Serbia has refused to join EU sanctions on Russia, a stance Vucic reiterated ahead of the talks, though Belgrade has supplied non-military aid to Kyiv. Zelenskyy said discussions would cover economic ties, EU relations, and security issues. The Kremlin has accused Serbian firms of selling munitions to Ukraine, which Vucic denies. The visit marks a significant diplomatic move as Zelenskyy continues his global tour for support since Russia's 2022 invasion.