Zelenskyy to Make First Official Visit to Serbia on Saturday
The Ukrainian president's trip highlights Serbia's balancing act between EU ties and its historical ties to Russia.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will pay an official visit to Serbia on Saturday, hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, according to official statements, the two governments announced simultaneously on Thursday evening.
According to Serbian news channel N1 Srbija, this will be Zelenskyy's first official visit to Serbia since taking office in 2019, and his first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The visit comes amid a broader geopolitical context: According to diplomatic sources, Serbia supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, while Ukraine does not recognize the independence of Kosovo and supports the territorial integrity of Serbia. According to reports, Serbia is one of the few European states that has not introduced sanctions against Russia, and according to energy data, it remains dependent on Russian gas supplies.
US Role in Ukraine-Serbia Relations
Former US Ambassador to Serbia Chris Hill, who served from 2022 to 2025 under US President Joe Biden, said the US began supporting the purchase of significant quantities of Serbian ammunition for Ukraine. He also stated that there were no significant Serbian weapon sales to Russia.
It is important for Serbia to stand on the right side of history.
— Chris Hill, former US Ambassador to Serbia
Hill described the US embassy team's achievements in supporting Ukraine-Serbia relations as an example of strategic cooperation.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Zelenskyy's advisor for strategic issues and former Minister for Strategic Industries, attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany in February 2026, according to sources. According to diplomatic sources, there is a lobby in Kyiv that fundamentally opposes Zelenskyy's visit to Serbia.
Updates
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed that the main topics of discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the upcoming visit will be the European path of both countries, bilateral economic cooperation, and energy cooperation — a clarification not previously disclosed — while also revealing that Russia has openly criticized Serbia’s deepening ties with Ukraine, leading to unstable, short-term gas supply contracts.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed the main agenda for Zelenskyy’s visit includes Europe’s path, economic and energy cooperation — a shift from the earlier focus on balancing Russia ties — while new reports reveal Serbia’s artillery exports to Ukraine have reached nearly €1 billion by 2024, and behind-the-scenes talks are advancing a joint drone production facility with Ukraine and the UAE, despite Russian pressure on gas contracts and domestic political unrest over the Novi Sad station collapse.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit's occurrence; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated the discussions would cover economic ties, EU relations, and security, while also revealing that Serbia has not opened new EU accession negotiation chapters in five years and that Ukraine currently blocks Serbia’s WTO accession — developments not previously reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, marking the start of his first official visit, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed the agenda includes economic ties, EU relations, and security, while also noting Russia’s dissatisfaction over Serbia’s deepening Ukraine ties — particularly impacting gas contracts — and new reports reveal Serbia’s artillery exports to Ukraine have reached nearly €1 billion since 2024, with behind-the-scenes talks ongoing for a joint drone production facility involving the UAE and the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed the agenda would include economic ties, EU relations, and security, while also revealing that Serbia’s recent supply of artillery shells to Ukraine through intermediaries had reached nearly one billion euros by 2024 — a figure previously unconfirmed — and that Russia has responded by destabilizing Serbia’s gas supply contracts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, and was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit's occurrence; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated the talks would cover EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, while Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s readiness for
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit after previously unverified reports; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated the talks would cover EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, while Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s readiness for constructive, mutually respectful collaboration — a visit analysts say aims to signal Serbia’s pro-Western alignment ahead of elections and to leverage Kyiv’s non-recognition of Kosovo as a diplomatic asset.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit after previously unverified reports; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated the talks would cover EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, while Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s readiness for
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, and was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit as scheduled; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated the talks would cover EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, while both leaders reaffirmed mutual respect, and Zelenskyy publicly confirmed his arrival via X.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, landing at Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 and was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit’s occurrence after prior unverified reports; he also publicly confirmed his arrival via X, stating Ukraine is “always ready to work constructively, for mutual benefit, and on the basis of mutual respect,” while Serbian President Vučić and Prime Minister Macota held scheduled talks focusing on EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, and security — with analysts noting the visit serves as both a pro-Western signal ahead of Serbia’s autumn elections and a strategic
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, and confirmed his visit via X, meeting Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović; Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta confirmed the meeting would cover EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, and security, with Vučić reiterating these priorities publicly — while new reports indicate Serbia’s long-standing non-recognition of Kosovo is being actively leveraged as a diplomatic asset in talks with Ukraine, a factor previously unconfirmed in official statements.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, and was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit had taken place — a detail not previously verified in the original report; he also publicly confirmed his arrival via social media, stating Ukraine is “always ready to work constructively, for mutual benefit, and on the basis of mutual respect,” while both leaders agreed to discuss economic ties, EU accession paths, energy cooperation, and security — with Serbian Prime Minister Dušan Macuta also participating in talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit's commencement; he also publicly confirmed his arrival via social media platform X, and both he and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated the talks would focus on EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, with Serbian Prime Minister Dušan Macuta also participating in scheduled discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport shortly before 18:00 on August 8, 2026, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit's occurrence after prior unverified reports; he later held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, focusing on EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, and potential joint drone production, while Serbia's ongoing WTO accession remains blocked by Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, at approximately 18:00, where he was met by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirming the visit’s occurrence after prior unverified reports; he confirmed his arrival via X, and held scheduled talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, focusing on EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, and potential joint drone production — while Serbia’s ongoing WTO accession remains blocked by Ukraine, and Russia has intensified its criticism over Belgrade’s deepening ties with Kyiv, particularly impacting gas supply stability.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović, followed by a dinner hosted by President Vučić, where they discussed EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation — topics Vučić later reiterated as central to official talks with Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, while Zelenskyy confirmed the agenda via X, noting Ukraine’s readiness for
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, followed by a dinner hosted by President Vučić, during which they discussed EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation — with Vučić later confirming on Instagram that the talks would focus on these priorities, while Zelenskyy publicly stated Ukraine is “always ready to work constructively, for mutual benefit, and on the basis of mutual respect.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović; he later attended a dinner hosted by President Vučić, where discussions on EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation were previewed, and a Memorandum of Understanding on animal health and food safety was signed, while official talks with Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta followed the next day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović; he later attended a dinner hosted by President Vučić, where discussions centered on EU accession paths, economic and energy cooperation, and potential joint drone production — while also confirming scheduled talks with Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, and a Memorandum of Understanding on food safety was signed between the two nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 8, 2026, ahead of scheduled talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, where they discussed expanding economic ties, EU accession paths, and energy cooperation — with Vučić confirming Serbia’s continued support for Ukraine’s European integration and announcing ongoing humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and energy-sector equipment for winter; Zelenskyy also urged faster progress on a bilateral free trade agreement and reiterated Russia’s targeting of energy and railway infrastructure, which left nearly all thermal power plants destroyed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 7, 2026, shortly before 18:00, where he was met by Serbian Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, and held talks with President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta over Friday and Saturday; during the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on animal health and food safety was signed, Zelenskyy called for accelerating a free trade agreement by year-end, and Vučić confirmed Serbia’s continued humanitarian and energy-sector aid to Ukraine — while reiterating no new sanctions on Russia — as both leaders emphasized shared EU aspirations and mutual respect, despite Serbia’s unresolved WTO accession, v
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 7, 2026, before 18:00, where he was met by Serbian Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, and later held talks with President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta; during the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on animal health and food safety was signed, Zelenskyy called for accelerating a free trade agreement by year-end, and Vučić confirmed Serbia’s continued humanitarian and energy-sector aid to Ukraine — while reiterating no new sanctions against Russia and expressing hope the war would end 'tomorrow,' despite lacking factual basis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović; later that day, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić hosted a dinner where they discussed EU accession paths, economic ties, and energy cooperation, with Vučić confirming Serbia's support for Ukraine's European integration and noting bilateral trade reached $321 million in the first half of 2026, while Zelenskyy called for accelerating a free trade agreement by year-end and reiterated Russian attacks had killed 13 and injured 77 in the past 24 hours across 12 regions, targeting energy and rail infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović; the two leaders held talks on Friday and Saturday, during which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on animal health and food safety, discussed accelerating a free trade agreement, and confirmed Serbia’s continued non-military aid to Ukraine — including medicines and energy-sector equipment — while Zelenskyy reported 13 killed and 77 injured in Russian attacks over the prior 24 hours, targeting energy and railway infrastructure with ballistic missiles and Shahed drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 8, 2026, ahead of scheduled talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, where they discussed expanding economic ties, EU accession paths, and energy cooperation — with Vučić confirming Serbia’s ongoing aid in medicines and energy equipment for Ukraine, and Zelenskyy urging faster progress on a bilateral free trade agreement, while also reporting that Russian attacks in the past 24 hours killed 13 Ukrainians and injured 77 across 12 regions, targeting energy infrastructure with ballistic missiles and Shahed drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 8, 2026, before 18:00, where he was met by Serbian Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, and later held talks with President Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, culminating in a dinner hosted by Vučić; during the visit, Zelenskyy confirmed his arrival via X, reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for mutual cooperation, and called for accelerating a free trade agreement, while Vučić stated Serbia supports Ukraine’s EU path and reiterated no new sanctions against Russia, though trade between the two nations reached $321 million in the first six months of 2026, and a memorandum on animal health and food safety,簽
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday, August 8, 2026, and was met at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović; he later held talks with President Vučić and Prime Minister Dušan Macuta, during which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on animal health and food safety, discussed accelerating a bilateral free trade agreement, and confirmed Serbia’s continued humanitarian and energy-sector aid to Ukraine — while Vučić reiterated Belgrade’s refusal to impose new sanctions on Russia and both leaders emphasized shared support for Ukraine’s EU path.
