Serbian President speaks to Putin for first time in 2.5 years – Presidency

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday for the first time in two and a half years, as a decision on Vucic’s participation in the BRICS summit is expected this week.

Serbia, an EU candidate country, refused to impose sanctions on Russia and maintains close and friendly relations.

However, since the invasion of Ukraine, Serbia has condemned violations of Kiev’s territorial integrity and Vucic has held only limited bilateral talks with Putin.

“I especially thanked President Putin for ensuring that Russia will supply Serbia with sufficient quantities of gas this winter,” Vucic said in a video message on social media.

Serbia was entirely reliant on Russian gas when Moscow’s troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Since then, following the example of many EU countries, Serbia has worked to find alternative sources, but remains partially reliant on Moscow.

In his first direct conversation with Putin since May 2022, Vucic reiterated that Serbia would not change its stance on waiving sanctions against Russia in the Ukraine conflict.

“Serbia will not impose sanctions against the Russian Federation. That won’t change,” said Vucic.

The Kremlin said in a statement that the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations, which were based on “spiritual, cultural and historical similarities.”

“The situation in Ukraine was also discussed. “Vladimir Putin gave his assessment of the course of the special military operation,” the Kremlin said, adding that the two leaders agreed to continue contact.

Russia is awaiting an official response to Putin’s invitation in September to Vucic to attend the October 22-24 summit of the BRICS group – an alliance of emerging economies – in Kazan.

“If I say that I am going to Kazan, it means the end of Serbia’s European path. If I say otherwise, they will claim that I betrayed the Russians,” Vucic said earlier this week, adding that he would announce his decision about the trip by Monday.

The phone call between the two heads of state and government on Sunday was intended to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade from German occupation during the Second World War.