Zelenskyy and Vucic Pledge Closer Economic Ties During First Official Visit to Serbia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conducted his first official visit to Serbia since taking office in 2019, meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to discuss economic cooperation and mutual support. The two leaders agreed to finalize a long stalled free trade agreement by the end of the year. They also signed a memorandum of understanding regarding food security and animal health to prevent the cross border spread of infectious diseases. President Vucic expressed support for Ukraine's bid for European Union membership and reaffirmed Serbia's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. In return, Ukraine continues to support Serbia's territorial integrity, which includes Serbia's claim over Kosovo. Zelenskyy thanked Serbia for providing humanitarian aid, including 2 million euros for the energy sector and medical supplies. The leaders also discussed joint infrastructure projects involving ports and railways. While the visit focused on cooperation, Vucic emphasized that military collaboration was not on the agenda, specifically denying plans to build drones with Ukraine. He did, however, invite Zelenskyy to the opening of a drone factory built in cooperation with Israel. The visit occurred amid ongoing Russian strikes in Ukraine, including a barrage that killed several people in the Kyiv region. Serbia maintains a complex position as a traditional ally of Russia that has refused to join EU sanctions against Moscow, while simultaneously providing non military aid to Kyiv.