Is Belgrade moving closer to Kiev? Vucic visits Ukraine

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić arrived in Ukraine on June 11 for his first official visit since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Serbian government's press service reported. The president's visit was to participate in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Odessa. The one-day trip was unannounced and was held in a close circle.

During the summit, Aleksandar Vučić expressed Serbia's offer to help Ukraine rebuild one or two cities or regions. By doing so, Belgrade clearly demonstrated its position of sympathy and support for official Kiev. Vučić also stressed that Serbia continues to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

According to the press service of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the summit in Odessa will focus mainly on issues of security in the Black Sea region, energy and regional cooperation. The event was also attended by a number of regional leaders: Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and the recently elected President of Romania, Nicos Dan, who is making his first official visit to Ukraine.

Aleksandar Vučić’s visit has attracted considerable international attention, as Serbia is one of the few countries that has not officially condemned Russia’s actions in the war against Ukraine. Although Belgrade does not recognize Moscow’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, it is one of the only European countries that has refused to impose sanctions on Russia as a candidate for EU membership.

At the same time, Vučić’s visit to Moscow in May drew criticism from EU leaders. He attended ceremonial events there to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.

Aleksandar Vučić has been president of Serbia since 2017. His surprise visit to Ukraine has fueled speculation that Belgrade's foreign policy has entered a new phase. The visit is also seen as a move to accelerate Serbia's EU accession process.

The results of the one-day but important visit to Odessa are being closely watched not only in Kiev but also in Brussels and Moscow.