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Zelenskyy makes first official visit to Serbia, seen as diplomatic challenge to Russia
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first official visit to Serbia on Saturday, holding talks with President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. The visit is seen as a diplomatic challenge to Russia, a traditional ally of Serbia. A senior Ukrainian official described it as 'a slap in the face for the Russians.' Serbia has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow despite EU pressure, but has provided non-military aid to Kyiv. Zelenskyy's visit comes as Russian strikes intensify, including an overnight bombardment of Kyiv that killed at least three people. The two leaders discussed economic ties, EU relations, and security issues. Vucic has not signed a formal declaration of support for Ukraine but has promised assistance.
Source report
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making his first official visit to Serbia on Saturday as Ukraine seeks to bolster international support in the face of intensifying Russian strikes.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to hold talks with his Serbian counterpart, Alexander Vucic, at the presidential palace. The visit comes after another intense bombardment of Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight killed at least three people and wounded seven.
A Strategic Diplomatic Move
A senior Ukrainian official earlier described Zelenskyy's visit to Moscow's traditional ally Serbia as "a slap in the face for the Russians."
Serbia has historically maintained close ties with Russia, and Vucic has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow—a stance that has irked the European Union and slowed Belgrade's path to joining the bloc.
Pre-Talks Dinner and Key Agenda
Zelenskyy had dinner with Vucic on Friday, ahead of their formal talks. Vucic repeated this week that he will not change his position on sanctions.
"We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, other areas that can benefit our nations, and security issues," Zelenskyy said on X.
Background and Context
Zelenskyy—who has toured much of the world seeking support since Russia's 2022 invasion—has not visited Serbia since he became president in 2019.
Although Serbia is heavily dependent on cheap Russian gas and Vucic remains one of the rare European leaders to still visit Moscow, he has also supplied non-military aid to Kyiv.
The Kremlin has accused Serbian firms of selling munitions to Ukraine, a claim Vucic has repeatedly denied.
Vucic went to Ukraine for a regional summit in 2025 and visited Kyiv this year. He has promised assistance to Ukraine but avoided signing a formal declaration of support in the war.
Source
EuractivWestern
Part of this Story
Zelenskyy visits Serbia, a Russian ally, to bolster support amid war