Serbia pledges new support for Ukraine but refuses to back anti-Russia declaration
Photo: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (Getty Images)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's first visit to Kyiv in more than a decade ended with a promise of new support for Ukraine, but without backing new measures against Russia, Reuters reports.
President Aleksandar Vučić arrived in Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and took part in the Southeastern Europe-Ukraine summit. It was his first visit to the Ukrainian capital in more than ten years.
What support did Serbia promise
After the summit, Vučić said Serbia would provide Ukraine with additional financial, medical, and energy assistance.
Belgrade is also ready to help rebuild one of Ukraine's cities, although its name has not yet been disclosed.
"So far we have not made good progress, and we will do our best ... to achieve the best results for the Ukrainian people in that town," Vučić said.
Why Serbia did not support the declaration
At the same time, the Serbian President confirmed that he did not sign the summit's final declaration. The document calls for continued political, military, financial, and security support for Ukraine, as well as increased pressure on Russia.
Despite this, Vučić stressed that Serbia would continue to support Ukraine's bid to join the European Union.
"Ukraine, Moldova, and all others ... can always count on Serbia's support," he said.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Belgrade has provided Ukraine with about €60 million in non-lethal and humanitarian assistance.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Serbia of supplying ammunition to Ukraine through third countries, but Belgrade denies the claims.
Earlier, at the end of June, Vučić, who has faced large anti-government protests for more than a year, said he planned to resign in the coming weeks and call early presidential and parliamentary elections.
