Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbia Palace, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Saturday. DARKO VOJINOVIC/AP
BELGRADE/KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Saturday, marking the first visit by a Ukrainian president to Serbia in eight years.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Vucic described Ukraine as a "friendly nation" and said he was honored to welcome the Ukrainian leader. He reiterated that Serbia respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, saying that position would not change, but stopped short of pledging to impose sanctions on Russia.
The two leaders also discussed their countries' efforts toward joining the European Union and the development of bilateral relations. Both Vucic and Zelensky said the two countries want to improve economic cooperation and complete a free trade agreement by the end of the year.
Zelensky said he and Vucic also discussed joint infrastructure projects and cooperation on energy and food security for the upcoming winter in Ukraine.
