Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday, marking the first visit of its kind.
The meeting took place against a backdrop of complex regional politics. President Vučić maintains close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has not joined EU sanctions against Russia. Serbia is the European country with the highest approval ratings for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war.
During the visit, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine does not recognize the independence of Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognized by over 100 countries, including the US, UK, and 22 EU members.
Reactions to Kosovo remarks
Zelenskyy's comments on Kosovo’s independence triggered a backlash in Pristina. Kosovo Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca stated that Pristina 'takes note with regret' of the remarks. Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama said, 'The state of Kosovo must be respected.'
The diplomatic friction extended to social media, where Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric exchanged barbs on X regarding Serbia's relationship with Kosovo.
EU paths and bilateral cooperation
President Vučić expressed support for Ukraine's European path, stating, 'Everything that we can do to help Ukraine on its European path, we will do.' Zelenskyy noted, 'The goal is to be an equal, strong member of the EU.'
However, President Vučić noted he does not believe in unanimity for the admission of new EU members. Zelenskyy commented on the existing dynamics, saying, 'I understand Alexander's skepticism, which he shared with me in detail yesterday.'
On economic and agricultural fronts, the Serbian and Ukrainian governments are negotiating a free trade agreement, which Zelenskyy expressed hope for completing by the end of the year. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and the Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia.
Military and security discussions
Regarding security, President Vučić said, 'We have not spoken about any military cooperation today and at this point in time.' He also stated, 'We support the UN Charter, the UN resolutions. That means the territorial integrity of all UN members, so also the territorial integrity of Ukraine.'
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine requires interceptor missiles for air defense and has agreements for monthly deliveries from the US. He added, 'Who has ballistic missiles and the corresponding systems? The manufacturer. Those are primarily the United States.'
The role of Serbia in providing military supplies remains a point of contention. Former US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill confirmed that Serbia has helped Ukraine with 'significant amounts' of artillery ammunition, initially mediated and financed by the US. Serbian companies have reportedly delivered Soviet-caliber ammunition to Ukraine through third countries like the Czech Republic, Spain, and the US.
The Serbian government stated it neither authorized nor controlled any transfers of ammunition to Ukraine.
Florian Bieber, director of the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, stated that Vučić's overtures towards Zelenskyy may be an effort to placate criticism from Brussels. This aligns with EU Commission statements that normalizing relations with Kosovo is a condition for Serbian EU membership.
President Vučić has also made significant regional statements, such as threatening to redirect the Iber River from Serbia to Kosovo in retaliation for the demolition of Serb-owned houses.
I believe that we are at the beginning of a larger war.
