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Ukraine's Zelenskyy arrives for first visit to Russia-friendly Serbia
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first official visit to Serbia, a European country maintaining friendly ties with Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine.
- During the visit, Zelenskyy is set to discuss expanding economic cooperation, EU relations, and security issues with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Djuro Macut.
- Serbia continues to balance its traditional relationship with Russia against EU pressures, refusing to join sanctions on Russia while providing aid to Ukraine and engaging in talks to boost its EU accession prospects.
- Vucic reaffirmed Serbia's stance against changing its policy on Russia sanctions, emphasizing the country’s established position despite ongoing diplomatic engagements with Kyiv.
- Analysts view the visit as a political maneuver by both leaders: Zelenskyy aims to weaken Russia’s Balkan alliances, while Vucic seeks to maintain EU ties without severing relations with Moscow.
