Vučić: Belgrade supports Ukraine’s independence and EU membership aspirations
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Serbia, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Belgrade supports Ukraine's independence and its goal of joining the European Union.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Ukraine, as well as Serbia, joining the European Union in the near future.
Although Belgrade condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Vučić has not committed to imposing sanctions on Russia, as Serbia relies on Russia for its natural gas supplies.
During a recent meeting, the two presidents expressed their desire to strengthen economic cooperation and aim to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of the year. This agreement is crucial for Serbia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and serves as a prerequisite for its entry into the European Union. However, Ukraine has blocked the conclusion of this agreement since 2005 due to quotas and customs duties placed on products from its agricultural sector.
Vučić, who has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times, including in Kyiv on July 15, has expressed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, including the regions occupied by Russia since 2014. On the other hand, Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo's independence, which was proclaimed in 2008.
