Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a landmark first visit on Saturday to Serbia to expand cooperation with the Balkan country whose leader has been scaling back once-close ties with Russia.
Serbia and Ukraine will work together on the common goal of joining the European Union, and intend to finalize a mutual free trade agreement by the end of the year, Zelenskyy and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic told reporters in Belgrade after their meeting. Vucic’s government also pledged more humanitarian aid, infrastructure and energy equipment for Ukraine.“Our cooperation is expanding and will become much bigger,” said Vucic, who offered his country’s help in rebuilding Ukrainian cities damaged during the Russian invasion that’s now well into its fifth year. Still, Serbia’s leader said he was skeptical that either state may be offered to join the EU soon.
“I wish Ukraine every success, but this is not just a merit-based process,” Vucic said in reference to expansion of the 27-nation bloc that hasn’t taken in new members since 2013.Vucic had been an ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for years before relations soured after Russia launched its war with Ukraine. While Serbia hasn’t joined sanctions against Moscow, it has condemned the war and reduced Russia’s economic influence over the country. In turn, Russia has accused Belgrade of backstabbing it by helping to arm Ukraine.
