Vucic Announces Meeting with Zelensky

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has revealed that he will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, on Tuesday, August 22nd, for a private conversation. 

This report comes from RTS.

"At the request of the President of Ukraine, I will have a bilateral meeting with him. I will sit down and have a private conversation with Zelensky about everything that has been happening around the Republic of Kosovo, issues related to the recognition and non-recognition of territorial integrity, and all other matters," stated the Serbian President.

When asked whether Russia will be a central topic, Vucic expressed certainty in this regard. "There are currently two issues, but it's best to wait until the evening. We had some documents of an unofficial nature; we aren't signing anything, but we have no problem referring to the UN phrasing about who violated international law and engaged in aggression. This is clear, and Serbia agrees with this," Vucic explained.

He also emphasized that Serbia is striving for a European future while not forsaking its national interests. According to him, this balance will become increasingly challenging in the near future.

It's worth noting that during his press briefing before lunch, Vucic commented on the "strange" format of the meeting in Athens. "The format in Athens was somewhat peculiar. I don't understand how it was organized, but that's a question for the hosts. We were invited among five Western Balkan countries, but the manner and reasons behind certain countries not receiving invitations due to their bilateral relations are puzzling. Instead, Pristina was invited, even though Greece officially does not recognize Kosovo," Vucic pointed out.

He informed that Croatia was invited as "great friends who know us all in the Balkans," as were Romanians and Bulgarians, but Hungarians were absent. Volodymyr Zelensky was also invited, but his attendance was uncertain due to safety considerations, as was the case with Moldova's President Maia Sandu.

Recall that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently in Greece for a working visit, during which he held discussions with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The heads of state deliberated on the current situation on the frontlines and the security scenario in the region, given the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

As previously reported by The Gaze, Aleksandar Vucic, who traditionally favored Moscow and declined to join Western sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has altered his approach.

President of Serbia stated that he is aware of the US government's reports that Serbian ammunition has reached Ukraine through intermediaries, and he does not plan to stop it.

Experts highlight that this shift in Serbia's orientation is likely directly linked to the decisions made by the US, NATO, and the EU to support Belgrade during the recent ethnic tensions in Kosovo.