Zelensky visits Serbia: Cooperation with Vučić despite ties to Moscow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday. This marked Zelensky's first official visit to Serbia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. During the meeting, the two presidents discussed the possibility of closer cooperation between their countries.

Zelensky reiterated his support for Serbia's EU accession and thanked the Serbian government for the humanitarian aid provided. They also talked about a planned free trade agreement, which could come into effect by the end of 2026.

The Serbian government is considered closely tied to Russia, which complicates bilateral relations. Nonetheless, Zelensky emphasized the need for cooperation despite Serbia's proximity to Moscow. This reflects the desire of both countries to deepen their economic and political ties.

The situation in Kosovo was also discussed during the talks, an issue that is highly relevant for both countries. This discussion is important as Kosovo continues to be a contentious topic in the relations between Serbia and other nations.

Both Ukraine and Serbia are interested in strengthening their position in international politics. Against this backdrop, the initiative for collaboration in various areas can be seen as strategic. It could also open new perspectives for bilateral relations.

The meetings between Zelensky and Vučić demonstrate that, despite geostrategic tensions, there is a willingness to collaborate and discuss relevant issues. The development of the relationship will need to be monitored in the coming weeks and months.