BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 8. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have pledged to strengthen economic cooperation between their countries, with Belgrade also reaffirming its support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.
Zelenskiy is concluding a two-day visit to Belgrade on Saturday, his first trip to Serbia since becoming president in 2019.
Vucic said Serbia would continue to support Ukraine's territorial integrity, including territories seized by Russia since 2014. However, he made no commitment to impose sanctions on Moscow, Serbia's longstanding political and economic partner.
Serbia condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but has declined to join Western sanctions against Moscow. The country also remains heavily dependent on Russian gas.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has maintained its refusal to recognise Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence. Belgrade considers Kosovo part of Serbian territory.
Vucic thanked Ukraine for its position, saying Serbia had not heard “a single bad word” from Zelenskiy or other Ukrainian officials regarding the country.
Economic cooperation was a major focus of the talks. Vucic and Zelenskiy said they aim to complete a free trade agreement by the end of the year. The agreement is particularly important for Serbia's efforts to join the World Trade Organization and eventually the European Union.
Zelenskiy said the leaders also discussed joint infrastructure projects, energy cooperation and food security, particularly preparations for the coming winter in Ukraine.
Vucic said military cooperation was not discussed during the meeting.
