The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasized the importance of the recent visit of Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić to our country, noting that the opportunity to witness the war firsthand made this step particularly significant
According to the Ukrainian leader, this visit marked an important milestone in mutual understanding between the two nations and opened new prospects for further cooperation amid ongoing conflict and destruction. Sources, including official statements by Zelenskyy on social media and Ukrainian media outlets, reported that on the evening of June 11, the Ukrainian president had a telephone conversation with Vučić, during which they discussed current issues regarding bilateral relations, Ukraine's support, and possibilities for deepening cooperation. The Serbian colleague’s visit was also accompanied by his participation in the "Ukraine – Southeastern Europe" summit held in Odesa, making it the first visit of this kind for a Serbian leader since the start of Russian aggression. Zelenskyy highlighted that Vučić’s personal presence in Ukraine is not only symbolic but also practically important as a demonstration of support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people. "Coming to Ukraine, seeing the destruction and human suffering with your own eyes – this is important not only for understanding the situation but also for strengthening our political relations," he said. During the discussion, the Ukrainian president expressed gratitude for the Serbian colleague’s initiative to assist in the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure in Ukraine. Vučić pledged to take patronage over the revival of several settlements, which is a sign of serious intent to support Ukrainians in recovery efforts. "We are counting on productive cooperation and hope that these projects will yield good results and help restore peaceful life in the affected regions more quickly," Zelenskyy added. It is worth noting that at the "Ukraine – Southeastern Europe" summit, participants signed a joint declaration condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine in the strongest terms and calling on the international community to strengthen sanctions against the Russian Federation. This decision was an important step toward consolidating the region’s countries’ position against Russian war actions. At the same time, a surprising development was that Vučić, the only participant at the summit, refused to sign the declaration, justifying his stance by stating that he “has not betrayed Russia”. All other countries expressed unanimous condemnation of the aggression and called for increased sanctions, while Serbia remained aloof from signing the document, reflecting internal political disagreements and a delicate balance in Serbia’s foreign policy.