Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made a landmark visit to Ukraine, participating in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa. While reaffirming support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and offering reconstruction aid, Vučić notably declined to sign a declaration condemning Russian aggression, underscoring Serbia’s delicate diplomatic balancing act.
Key Takeaways
- President Vučić’s visit marked his first to Ukraine since taking office.
- He attended the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa.
- Vučić refused to sign the summit’s final declaration, which condemned Russian aggression.
- Serbia offered to assist in the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities.
- The visit highlights Serbia’s ongoing effort to balance EU aspirations with ties to Russia.
Serbian President’s Historic Visit to Ukraine
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić undertook his first official visit to Ukraine on June 11, 2025, attending the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa. This visit, unannounced until his departure from Serbia, signals a potential shift in Serbia’s foreign policy, which has historically maintained close ties with Russia while pursuing European Union membership.
Summit in Odesa and Declaration Refusal
The summit, which gathered representatives from 12 southeastern European countries, aimed to foster regional cooperation and address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A key outcome was a joint declaration explicitly condemning Russia’s "unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion" and calling for stronger sanctions against Moscow. However, President Vučić abstained from signing this declaration, stating it was "against Russia" and emphasizing Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on its traditional ally. He publicly declared, "I did not betray Russia," asserting Serbia’s independent foreign policy.
Bilateral Discussions and Reconstruction Aid
During his visit, President Vučić held a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions focused on bilateral cooperation and Serbia’s potential role in Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Serbia’s financial and humanitarian assistance. Vučić, in turn, reaffirmed Serbia’s "firm support" for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and offered to help rebuild Ukrainian cities, stating Belgrade "would like to rebuild one or two cities or a small region" in Ukraine.
Serbia’s Diplomatic Tightrope Walk
Vučić’s visit and his refusal to sign the anti-Russian declaration underscore Serbia’s complex diplomatic position. Serbia has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and remains heavily reliant on Russian energy. This balancing act aims to reconcile Serbia’s EU aspirations with strong pro-Russian sentiment domestically and its historical ties with Moscow. The visit comes shortly after Russia accused Serbia of covert arms exports to Ukraine, a claim Belgrade denies but has pledged to investigate. Despite EU warnings, Vučić also recently attended Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, further illustrating his government’s efforts to maintain cordial relations with the Kremlin.
Sources
- “I did not betray Russia,” says Serbia’s pro-Russian President Vučić after abstaining from signing Odesa
summit declaration, Euromaidan Press. - Serbia’s president visits Ukraine for the first time in EU realignment signal, Euronews.
- Is Serbia pivoting towards Ukraine?, GZERO Media.
- Serbian president to make first visit to Ukraine since invasion, Al Arabiya English.
- Serbia’s Vucic makes surprise visit to Ukraine, bne IntelliNews.
